Historically Black Colleges and Universities
The Need
During the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and growing rate of race-based hate crimes, the incidence of mental health distress spiked to alarming rates across the United States. Nobody has felt the impact more than young adults and marginalized communities. Specifically, college-aged students have been hit incredibly hard. Add to that the disproportionate impact on Black individuals. Students at HBCU’s need our attention now.
Often, the first signs and symptoms of mental health challenges emerge during the school years. Statistics show 75 percent of mental illnesses develop before age 25, making colleges and universities a critical location for early identification and intervention.
According to the National Council on Mental Wellness (2017), nearly half of students across college campuses report having a diagnosable psychiatric disorder every year, and one-third have seriously considered suicide.
Untreated mental health issues can have a grave impact on college students. A handful of mental illnesses are associated with lower GPAs and higher dropout rates. Sadly, suicide claims the lives of approximately 1,100 students each year.
The Partnership, The Project
The Mental Health Association of Maryland is excited to partner with Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, to launch a 4-year initiative to train thousands of students, faculty, and staff across each campus in Mental Health First Aid. This training will equip students, faculty, and staff with the skills to provide first responder style mental health support to peers and colleagues. Each campus will have a robust cohort of instructors to teach regularly, alongside a steering committee to help build a sustainable, long-term program unique to each school.
Thank You
Thank you to the Maryland Department of Health and Behavioral Health Administration for their financial contribution and ongoing commitment to this 4-year initiative. Thank you to the representatives from each campus who have taken part in the implementation and dissemination of this critical knowledge.
To learn more about this initiative, contact: Leah Bentfield, MHFA Program Coordinator at LBentfield@mhamd.org.