The University is committed to promoting and promoting mental health and well-being

b Paige Bartels, LCSWEnsuring that all Chargers receive the mental health care they need is an important and visible way to show that the university community and its members are valued. That’s why she works so hard to make resources available to everyone and help students, faculty and staff play a vital role in supporting each other.

The university is promoting mental health and providing support in a range of areas from general health to suicide prevention. The university is currently providing training to equip members of the university community with the tools needed to empower and support each other. Bartels, director of the university Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)She says this is more pressing than ever as the United States faces what she calls a “mental health crisis.”

“Mental health struggles were on the rise before the pandemic, but the collective trauma we’ve experienced as a result of the pandemic, coupled with racial and social justice tensions and the political climate, has affected more people than ever before,” she explained. “I see our utilization increasing and the need we’re seeing increasing, which means that students who need mental health care are struggling in a more significant way than in the past.”

‘The Gold Standard of Recommended Interventions’.

The university is currently offering two evidence-based training programs to members of the university community, tools Bartels said will bring the Chargers together in an effort to promote mental health.

of Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) program Trains individuals without a background in counseling or intervention to respond to others who are feeling suicidal. During the 2-3-hour training, participants learn about suicidal thoughts, as well as how to respond and help someone who is struggling. For example, you will learn what resources are available and how to refer someone to them.

The university is also giving. Mental health first aidA longer and more in-depth program that covers responding to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Day sessions are offered to a small number of faculty and staff who volunteer, allowing them to support struggling students.

“We chose these initiatives because they are evidence-based, provide practical skills and opportunities to practice those skills so that students — or anyone — can be confident in intervening when faced with a student dealing with mental health challenges,” Bartels said. . “These are recommended interventions Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationGold standard of recommended interventions.

“We care about our people and other people.”

The grant-funded training is supported by a program launched to help colleges and universities in Connecticut respond to student mental health challenges in the wake of the pandemic. Governor Ned Lamont. He visited the university late last year to inform. Launch of the Connecticut Campus Mental Health Program He decided to spend about 3 million dollars Governor’s Emergency Education Grant (GEER) To support mental health. Bartels said a critical goal of that gift was to expand the support network on campus, allowing more Chargers to feel empowered to intervene with those who are struggling.

The university is committed to promoting wellness as a whole, and Bartles hopes to encourage faculty, staff and students to focus on their wellness. In addition to the health and safety fair scheduled for October, CAPS is also promoting safety among students within the university community. CAPS employs a group of students to serve as community wellness advocates, and provide peer-led support groups and targeted services to the university community to expand and increase support for mental health and wellness.

“The way we show that we care about our community and other people is to make sure they’re getting the mental health care they need,” Bartels said. “The way we take care of ourselves is to meet our own needs. And that means resources need to be available so people can take care of their own mental health.”