College Student Mental Health New Directions for Student Services, Number 156 J-B SS Single Issue Student Services Series

In recent years, there has been heightened attention paid to the mental health needs of college students, the range and scope of these issues, and the challenges related to providing mental health services. Counseling center data, changing legal mandates and anecdotal reports from senior practitioners all point to the growing complexity of managing these issues.

This volume examines clinical issues for student affairs professionals beyond the counseling center– addressing how campuses can be prepared for and respond to mental health issues. It helps readers cultivate a community-centered understanding of and sense of shared responsibility for promoting mental health, knowledge about best practices for service provision, and strategies for dealing with mental health issues pertaining to specific student populations and issues within the environment.

Topics covered include:

• Contextual and foundational information related to current student mental health trends,
• Mental health aspects of certain populations including military-connected students, students on the autism spectrum, and international student,
• Bigger-picture, systemic issues related to mental health faced by colleges and universities, and
• Future directions of mental health on campuses.

This is the 156th volume of this Jossey-Bass higher education quarterly series. An indispensable resource for vice presidents of student affairs, deans of students, student counselors, and other student services professionals, New Directions for Student Services offers guidelines and programs for aiding students in their total development: emotional, social, physical, and intellectual.

EDITORS’ NOTES 5
Heidi Levine, Susan R. Stock

1. Common Mental Health Issues 9
Susan R. Stock, Heidi Levine

This chapter summarizes and explains, in layperson’s terms, mental health concerns that may arise on campus.

2. Emerging Issues and Models in College Mental Health Services 19
Ben Locke, David Wallace, Jon Brunner

This chapter reviews mental health concerns of college students in general as well as those who seek services on campus. A discussion of models of campus mental health service provision is also included.

3. Mental Health Concerns of Students on the Autism Spectrum 31
Jane Thierfeld Brown, Lisa Meeks, Michelle Rigler

Mental health concerns of students on the Autism Spectrum are discussed, including support and intervention ideas for several types of student service departments.

4. Mental Health and Military-Connected Students on Campus: Culture, Challenges, and Success 41
Ted C. Bonar

This chapter describes mental health challenges and strengths of veterans and other military-connected students, highlighted with brief student scenarios, and provides suggestions for campus intervention and support.

5. International Student Mental Health 53
Susan L. Prieto-Welch

This chapter offers an overview of international students’ acculturation experiences and related mental health issues.

6. Mental Health and Students at Risk 65
Alan B. Goodwin

The author discusses recent legal decisions and federal mandates pertaining to students who are potential dangers to self and others.

7. Mental Health Aspects of Responding to Campus Crises 77
Christopher Flynn, Micky M. Sharma

The authors draw from campus experiences and relevant professional literature to provide guidance regarding large-scale crisis response.

8. Promoting Resilience, Retention, and Mental Health 87
Daniel Eisenberg, Sarah Ketchen Lipson, Julie Posselt

This chapter explores the intersections among resilience, retention, and mental health on campus and offers strategies for effective practice.

9. Anticipating the Future of Mental Health Needs on Campus 97
Robert A. Bonfiglio

A senior student affairs professional presents his perspectives on the future challenges of meeting campus mental health needs.

INDEX 105

Volume Editors:
Heidi Levine is vice president for student development and planning at Simpson College; she is trained as a counseling psychologist and has prior experience directing college counseling and health services.

Susan R. Stock is the executive director of student health and counseling services at Northeastern Illinois University. She is a counseling psychologist with experience in multiple student affairs departments.

Series Editors:
Susan R. Jones is an associate professor and section head in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Program at The Ohio State University.

Sherry K. Watt is an associate professor of higher education and student affairs at the University of Iowa.