Managing Mental Health Priority Action Group

“NCHA 2008 UND data showed that 78.6% of students reported experiencing stress and ofthose 26.1% indicated it had an academic impact. Concern for family member, relationship difficulties, death of family member or friend were 3 of the top 10 issues. In 2009 Healthy UND 2020 focus group findings, students reported increased credit requirement demands, financial concerns and over scheduled lives as issues impacting their success. They also reported that loneliness and a feeling of isolation may lead to depression."
- Laurie Betting, Associate Vice President for Health and Wellness at UND

"Students impacted by feelings of depression often can not perform at optimum intellectual levels necessary to be successful academically."
- Joan Jorde, Assistant Director of UND's TRIO Programs

Rationale
“Depression and anxiety are contributing factors to lack of retention.” ¹

“Mental disorders are common in the United States. In the United States 57.7 million people have diagnosable mental disorders, including about one in four adults (National Institute of Mental Health). Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability among ages 15-44 in the United States and Canada combined (World Health Organization). The cost of lost earnings alone due to major mental disorders in the United States is around $193 billion each year (Kessler 2008).” ²

According to a 2008 study of 13 Minnesota colleges and universities, students who report being diagnosed with a mental health condition within the past 12 months have a lower mean grade point average than students who were not diagnosed with a mental health condition within the past 12 months. In addition, students who report being diagnosed with a mental health condition within their lifetime have a lower mean GPA than those who were never diagnosed with a mental health condition. ³

Description
This Priority Action Group composed of student, faculty, and staff members meets monthly at UND to evaluate environmental factors, analyze problems, share best practices, establish goals, create SMART objectives, develop recommendations and strategies, and ultimately create a campus-wide action plan. This action plan will be submitted to UND’s President for final consideration and when approved, it will serve as a guide for all UND health and wellness initiatives until the year 2020.

Agendas
September 2010
October 2010 - Problem Analysis
November 2010
January 2011  - Developing Goals and Objectives
February 2011 - Ideas for Objectives
March 2011
April 2011

Minutes
September 2010
October 2010
November 2010
January 2011 - Inventory of Programs, Services, and Policies (Draft)
February 2011 - "We Need" Results from the Joint Meeting - Goals, Objectives, & Strategies
March 2011 - Revised Goals, Objectives, & Strategies
April 2011

Mental Health Inventory of Programs, Services, and Policies

SPRC Inventory Template
University Counseling Center Inventory
Dean of Students Inventory
Student Health Services Inventory - Student Health Services Inventory Addendum
International Student Resource Guide

Best Practice Articles
How are the Experiences and Needs of Families of Individuals with Mental Illness Reflected in Medical Education Guidelines? 
Building Bridges 
Mental Health: What Do Parents Think? 
Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide 
Inventory of Campus Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs, Policies & Services 
Inventory of Programs, Policies and Services 
Young students’ use of the Internet for mental health information and support 
Campus Mental Health Action Planning 
Mental Health America: University/College Campus Checklist 
How Stigma Interferes With Mental Health Care 
Mental Health Stigma as Social Attribution 

References
1. Splichal, Susan. “Focus Group Research Report.” Healthy UND. Healthy UND 2020, Summer 2009. 
Web. 2 Jul 2010.

2. “Mental Health & Mental Illness.” The Community Guide to Preventative Services. Community Guide Branch, National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 June 2010. Web. 7 Jul 2010.

3. Sanem, Julia. HEALTH AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE Minnesota Postsecondary Students (2008): 7, 1-64. Web. 16 Jul 2010. <http://www.bhs.umn.edu/healthdata/results/>.