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“Our most recent data shows that stress, anxiety and depression are among the top factors that affect student academic performance,” said Chancellor Scott, who advocates for the state’s 2.6 million students across a 112-college system. “This grant comes at a critical time as students are under even more stress because of economic troubles. Almost 50 percent of students reported feeling very sad, very lonely and hopeless and more than a third reported that they were so depressed it was difficult to function.”
Another 8 percent of student respondents reported that they had considered suicide and almost 3 percent had attempted suicide.
The California Community Colleges Student Mental Health Program will provide funding to 12 colleges for training, technical services and peer-to-peer assistance.
The program also will result in online training resources that are expected to be available to all community college faculty and staff to help them respond appropriately to students who may exhibit signs of mental distress.
A focus on student veterans will be an important program element, and community colleges will collaborate with the California State University and University of California on these projects.
Mary and Victor Ojakian, who lost a son to suicide while he was a college student, applauded the grant. In December 2004, their son, Adam, was a senior at University of California, when he took his own life in his apartment after completing his last final exam that quarter. He was 21. The Ojakians have been tireless advocates since Adam’s death for funding on-campus mental health initiatives throughout California’s higher education systems.
“We are acutely aware of the difficulties and trauma a family experiences when a loved one dies of suicide. It is our hope that these funds can be used to create a sustainable system of improved understanding and support for those struggling with a mental health issue. We hope to prevent all of us from losing a loved one to the fatal outcome of these illnesses – suicide,” said Mary and Vic Ojakian. “Since losing our son to suicide, we have worked toward improved mental health understanding and services in all California universities and colleges. Our son was never diagnosed, but we feel that he experienced a deep depression that went unrecognized and untreated.”
The Foundation for California Community Colleges is the official fiscal sponsor of the grant on behalf of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
Many community college students face a wide range of mental health needs and although some seek services, many do not.
Among the students who experience or are at-risk of mental health issues are:
The significant number of returning veterans who may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and depression as a result of their military and combat experiences.
Those with no prior mental health history who need help for the first time due to developmental challenges, and/or emotional, educational, economic and social stressors.
Those who have experienced severe depression and previous suicidal thoughts and/or attempts.
Those who have never been diagnosed but who may present challenges to the campus community by being disruptive.
Those with diagnosed psychological disabilities, some of whom receive support from campus Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) and health services offices.
Those who may need help but who do not want to use DSPS or other specialized services because of the stigma that is a significant barrier to seeking help for mental health issues.
