Kentucky community colleges focus on addressing the significant demand for mental health services among their students
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is taking significant steps to address the high rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm among its students. With approximately 100,000 students, KCTCS has launched a comprehensive Mental Health Strategy, a system-wide priority since 2023 under President Ryan Quarles [1].
High Levels of Student Stress and Mental Health Issues
According to the Healthy Minds Study of 2024, 68% of surveyed KCTCS students reported experiencing depression, and 66% reported anxiety [1]. Furthermore, 15% of students worried about losing their steady place to live in the future, and 2% reported not having a steady place to live at all. The study also showed that 13% of students were at risk of an eating disorder and 20% had already engaged in "self-injurious behavior" [1].
Addressing Mental Health Needs
KCTCS's mental health initiatives are structured around comprehensive systemic support, peer networks, counseling access, and stress management education. The system aims to meet severe student mental health needs by integrating support services tailored to depression, anxiety, and self-injurious behaviors [1].
Peer support and group counseling are emphasized, as they have been shown to reduce feelings of isolation and provide emotional reassurance. Peer counselors offer relatable support, while group counseling builds supportive communities to share coping strategies [4].
Accessible counseling services and workshops on stress management are also provided, with a focus on helping students manage the academic and emotional challenges related to mental health, especially around exam stress [4].
Best Practices Identified by KCTCS
Early intervention and proactive support are key strategies, with solutions like automation of credentialing and administrative tasks helping to free therapists to focus more on patient care [2]. Addressing provider burnout is crucial for sustaining effective mental health care [1][2][4].
Future Plans and Monitoring
KCTCS plans to educate employees and students about mental health, create a centralized document of mental health resources, develop a peer wellness program, and provide staff with trainings on spotting depression and anxiety. Each KCTCS college will have the freedom to customize its mental health approach to cater to the unique needs of its campus population [1].
Moreover, KCTCS plans to conduct more surveys of students and monitor what works to improve mental health. KCTCS President Ryan Quarles considers investments in mental health to be of equal importance as any other type of student support [1].
Impact of COVID-19
The World Health Organization has pointed to COVID-19 induced isolation as a key stressor driving worsening mental health [5]. Quarles stated that the mental health data reveals a "serious issue" in Kentucky [3].
Charlotte Boyd, a former KCTCS student, believes a mental health initiative would have helped her during her time at the college [3]. Half of all community college students across the country struggle with mental health issues, and the situation in Kentucky is worse than the national average [6].
In conclusion, KCTCS's mental health initiatives are designed to mitigate high rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm reported among students. Addressing provider burnout and administrative barriers is also recognized as essential for sustaining effective mental health care [1][2][4].
- The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) recognized the need to address the high rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm among its students, leading to the development of a comprehensive Mental Health Strategy in 2023.
- KCTCS's mental health initiatives encompass comprehensive systemic support, peer networks, counseling access, and stress management education, aiming to meet severe student mental health needs.
- In line with best practices, KCTCS prioritizes early intervention and proactive support, and seeks to address provider burnout by automating administrative tasks and focusing on patient care.
- Future plans for KCTCS include educating employees and students about mental health, creating a centralized resource document, developing a peer wellness program, and providing staff trainings on spotting depression and anxiety.
- KCTCS aspires to adapt its mental health approach to cater to the unique needs of each campus population, considering investments in mental health to be of equal importance as other types of student support.
- Recognizing the impact of COVID-19 and the resulting isolation on worsening mental health, KCTCS acknowledges the "serious issue" in Kentucky, with the situation being worse than the national average for community college students confronting mental health challenges.
