Prevention and Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among College Students

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on material published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is available as an open-access article. The increase in the prevalence of mental health concerns on college campuses over the last few years is viewed as a serious mental health crisis requiring immediate action. Additionally, the number of students enrolling in college with preexisting mental health conditions is rising. Finally, college students are at the prime age for the onset of many symptoms of mental illnesses. The guide presents five evidence-based programs and practices that address the prevention and treatment of common mental health concerns: gatekeeper trainings, mindfulness-based stress reduction, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. The guide provides considerations and strategies for federal and regional partners from the Departments of Education and Justice, policymakers (federal, state, and local), college administrators and educators, counseling/medical centers on college campuses and within college communities, and families. This course on the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions in college students is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced-level practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge of the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions in college students. The course material includes a literature review of interventions. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading, and others do not. A significant benefit of reading research-based articles for continuing education is that they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: SAMHSA Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding preventing and treating mental health conditions in college students. Specifically, a professional will: Recognize the prevalence of mental health concerns in college students, particularly in various demographics. Identify current evidence on the effectiveness of programs that address the mental health of college students. Describe practices for selecting and implementing evidence-based programs to treat mental health concerns in college students. Identify examples of college mental health programs. Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Prevention and Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among College Students. Evidence-Based Resource Guide Series. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/prevention-treatment-of-anxiety-depression-suicidal-thoughts-behaviors-among-college-students/PEP21-06-05-002