Compass Behavioral Health and LSUE Mental Health Needs on College Campuses

1. Compass Behavioral Health and LSUEMental Health Needs on College Campuses

2. Mental Health Needs on College Campuses • “I think colleges should pay attention to the fact that many more students need mental health services than who actually access them. Some of the students most affected or most at risk for mental health conditions are the hardest to reach because they are secluded in their rooms.” -2012 NAMI  "Students Speak" Survey Respondent  • 2017 American College Health Association Study                          - 40% felt "so depressed it was difficult to function"                          - 61% experienced overwhelming anxiety                          - 13% seriously considered suicide

3. Top 5 Mental Health Concerns on College Campuses • Anxiety • Depression • Stress • Family Concerns • Academic Concerns • "While depression and anxiety consistently rank as the most common mental disorders treated at college counseling centers, an often overlooked but equally serious problem is the rising number of students struggling with sexual assault on campus and self-injury." apa.org

4. Mental Illness... Mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feelings or mood. •  Is NOT a character flaw or personal weakness. •  Is real and just as important as physical health issues. •  Is An Illness – Think diabetes or high blood pressure. •  Can be a result of genetics, biochemical processes, environment and/or lifestyle. •  Is often triggered by stress or trauma. •  Is more common than you may think. •  Does not define a person. •  Is treatable.

5. Contributing Factors to Onset of Symptoms • Feelings of homesickness, loneliness and isolation • Difficulty adjusting to new routine and environment • Extreme feelings of anxiety, panic, depression about school and life • Stressed or overwhelmed about course load • Posttraumatic stress disorder episode triggered by class content • Medications stopped working  NAMI, 2012                                                                                                      

6. Mental and Behavioral Health Problems are Learning Problems • Mental health issues can impact the quality of learning. Issues such as stress, anxiety and depression contribute to decreases in flexibility, creativity and motivation to learn new information. 2014 Strategic Primer on College Student Mental Health • 65% of clients indicated that counseling had helped them remain in school, according to a recent survey of college counseling center directors.64%  stated that counseling helped improve their academic  performance. www.apa.org • Campus based accommodations and mental health counseling • Additionally connecting with mental health services earlier, availability of peer support groups, financial assistance (medical bills), transportation assistance and support from family and friends. 

7.  What to Watch For • Crying spells  • Changes in sleep pattern – too much or too little • Changes in appetite – eating too much or too little • Increased nervousness, restlessness and inability to sit still • Depressed mood or persistent sadness • Increased nervousness, worry or irrational fear • Isolative behavior, withdrawing from social groups • Talk of suicide or passive suicidal ideation - "I want to go to sleep and not wake up".  Suicide • Seek help if a student expresses passive suicidal ideation (I wish I could sleep and not wake up) or specific plan or intent to harm her/himself. Call 911 if student is in immediate danger or follow campus emergency protocol.

8. How Can I Help? •  Notice.   - Changes in hygiene or overall appearance   - Missing classes   - Failing to turn in work/assignments   - Behavior changes – from alert and attentive to falling asleep or apathetic •  Take a moment to check in. - "How's it going, is everything ok?"  •  Provide referral information.        - Keep the campus counseling center contact info on hand        - Know where the counseling center is located on campus •    Show Your Support – Take part in on campus initiatives to            reduce stigma and raise awareness.

9. LSUE and Compass Behavioral Health • Partnership to provide accessible mental health services to LSUE students to support student wellbeing and academic success. • CARE Team Meetings • Compass Behavioral Health • State wide behavioral health system founded in 1998 • Compass services span 20 parishes • Provides services at all levels of care – inpatient psychiatric, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and traditional outpatient services

10. Services Provided • Psychosocial assessments and evaluations • Talk therapy counseling sessions  • Referrals to appropriate community supports and resources • Compass provides a network of resources to readily connect students to appropriate services – from individual counseling, to medication management with psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatrists to inpatient psychiatric and inpatient detox facilities.

11. Referral Process Located in the Acadian Center  Dean of Student Affairs Office Schedule Online LSU.edu/studentaffairs/counseling.php or  Contact Brittany Leger at 337-788-1304 or email brittany@compasshealthcare.com

12. Thank You! Compass Behavioral Health Corporate Office 713 North Ave L, Crowley, LA 70526 337-788-3330 www. CompassHealthcare.com