Mental Health Services on a

College Campus
BY AEKTA, BETH, MAHA, AND RIDA

What is the problem?

College students often deal with the pressures of getting good

grades, having a social life and sometimes having a full-time or
part-time job. This can lead to mental health problems, and often
people come into college with preliminary mental health
disorders.

The most common mental health issues with college students are
depression and anxiety.

Instead of students seeking help, some may turn to drug use

(tobacco, alcohol and marijuana, most commonly) to escape their
problems.

What is our goal?

Our groups goal is to create awareness and propose solutions for

improved mental health services on a college campus (specifically George
Mason University since we are here) for not only students suffering from
both mental health and substance abuse issues but for the entire
community.

This includes both sharing what is already available (to help students) and
proposing alternative solutions that we think might help improve services.

What is WAVES?

WAVES stands for Wellness, Alcohol and Violence Education

Services. WAVES is an on-campus counseling organization that
meets with students either one-on-one or in groups to offer
advice to anyone dealing with drug abuse, sexual abuse,
interpersonal violence, or just stress.

They also promote awareness on these issues by hosting campus

programs, providing workshops, and leadership opportunities for
students (such as being a Peer Health Educator).

Website: waves.gmu.edu

What is CAPS?

CAPS stands for Counseling and Psychological Services. CAPS

deals with students dealing with depression, anxiety and other
mental health issues.

They offer one-on-one meetings (with licensed mental health

professionals) and also offer certain group therapy sessions.

Website: caps.gmu.edu

Collaboration between WAVES

and CAPS

WAVES and CAPS collaborate based on a students needs.

Example: WAVES may recommend a student to CAPS if they find

that the students needs may be better met by CAPS and vice
versa.

Why should we care?

College is a time in our lives when we are making new friends,

going through new and interesting experiences and most
importantly, creating our future by trekking on our career path.

Based on each individuals background, this college experience

looks different, and for the ones that it isnt easy.they may turn
to drugs OR may begin suffering from a mental illness (if they
didnt already).

Poor mental health can lead to decreased concentration and

decreased emotional and physical well-being. Drug use also
affects these components needed for a good, or healthy
college experience.

Why is it important to us?

Mental health issues have impacted several members in our

group, so we can relate to this topic; this also helps us know what
approaches work and what dont. It helps us come up with
alternative solutions to help alleviate the issue, based on whats
worked for us from our own personal experience.

A lot of people arent open about suffering from mental health

problems and some may assume that no one else can relate, when
in reality, a lot of people actually go through it at some point.

Knowing that you are not alone and that there are people that can
relate is comforting, especially if you are a non-traditional student
or a first time student trying to meet new people or make friends.

How did we address the issue?

We contacted staff from WAVES and CAPS to determine what is

already being done to help students.

We came up with ideas for proposing solutions based on what

we found from this contact (whats working, what isnt, whats
still an issue despite their efforts etc) and other research.

How did our research go?

We contacted two people, one from CAPS, and one from WAVES.

Dr. Karen Bagley is the Assistant Director for Community

Education and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at CAPS. She told
us that most students are either self-referred or encouraged by
someone else to seek help. Their condition is depended on
whether or not they should get medication or additional
counseling. CAPS also works with WAVES if substance abuse is
involved. Mason also offers CARES suicide prevention which is a
training for staff if they see a student going through a crisis.
Mason saw about 1300 students last year for mental health
counseling at CAPS. (Online interview with Dr. Karen Deanne
Bagley, November 18th,2015).

WAVES Interview

Q) What steps has WAVES taken to try and create a change in order to help more
students and what are the roadblocks?

A) Aside from being extremely welcoming to whoever that walks into the door.
WAVES tries to make the student feel comfortable with the different reason for their
bold step in coming in. Walking in to the office is a huge step all on its own to break
the barrier of getting help rather than suffering alone. Another thing that WAVES
wants to help change is the stigma of feeling empowered when on the road to
recovery rather than feeling ashamed.

Q) What is the retention rate at WAVES? (How many students return after breaks?
Each semester, each year etc?)

A) Mandated students do return because Student Conduct places a hold on their

accounts otherwise but voluntary students usually return even though its up to
them. Theres usually at least 2 to 3 that do for sure annually, and WAVES ask what
their plan for support is during their time away. WAVES also provides referrals
sometimes, if students are open to them, and sometimes students email while
theyre away.

Our ideas for solutions:

More support groups that de-stigmatize mental illnesses and serve as a safe
space for people to be more open about it.

More staff at WAVES and CAPS (especially CAPS)

Healthier food options

FREE yoga and meditation classes (both are really good ways to relieve stress)

An alliance that students could choose to be part of upon entering college, where
they can meet people and make friends, so they dont feel alone.

A sort of IEP for each student coming into college (similar to the IEP be for
disabilities, it could be for mental health)

A walk-in therapy center

A group or blog site for Alternative methods of sharing-such as blogging etc..

(example: my own blog)- https://positivevibes0.wordpress.com/

UNIVERSITY SHOULD SEE IT AS A PROBLEM AND FUND IT!! Well-Being Initiative?

What else?

Whether you can relate or not relate, whether you know someone from
personal experience or from your own experience.YOUR IDEAS
MATTTER!

Based on what you learned from this presentation, and what you already
know, WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?

WHICH IDEAS DO YOU LIKE?

WHICH IDEAS DO YOU THINK WOULD NEED more research, and more
work?

WHICH IDEAS DO YOU THINK WONT WORK AND WHY?

TALK ABOUT IT, THINK ABOUT IT, SHARE, START A CONVERSATION!

Thanks for giving us your attention! Aekta, Beth, Maha & Rida.