A Comprehensive Model for Addressing Severe and Persistent Mental Illness on Campuses: The New Diversity Initiative

In response to the increase in severity and prevalence of student-presented mental disorders on college campuses, a comprehensive campuswide identification and intervention program titled "The New Diversity Initiative" was developed to help college counselors and student personnel staff address students with severe mental disorders. Details of the program and recommendations for college counselors interested in implementing such a program are provided. ********** Recent research indicates that increasing numbers of students entering college are diagnosed with or will experience the symptomatology of a severe mental disorder (Benton, Robertson, Tseng, Newton, & Benton, 2003). College counseling centers' staffs have been faced with an ever-increasing level of severity among their presenting clients; these problems dealt not only with relationship and developmental issues but also with suicidal ideation, personality disorders, and sexual assault (Benton et al., 2003). The incidence of depression has recently doubled, the incidence of suicidal students tripled, and the number of sexual assault cases presented at college counseling centers has quadrupled (Benton et al., 2003). Furthermore, Johns Hopkins University reports treating approximately 40% of the undergraduates enrolled before they graduate (Gose, 2000). This much discussed and well-documented increase in psychological and psychiatric problems among students has sometimes left college counselors overwhelmed and uncertain as to how to address these students' needs (Amada, 1999; Caulfield, 2001; Gibson, 2000; Sharpe, 2002). As college counselors attempt to meet the increasing needs of this growing population of college students, they often struggle with the paucity of information and available resources (Holleran, Pascale, & Fraley, 1988). The research literature on this topic is in its infancy and provides little practical help for counselors wanting to address the complex set of challenges presented by this new diversity of students. In addition to the documented rise in severe mental illness on college campuses, high profile media cases, such as that faced by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Pavella, 2002), and recent national conferences (e.g., en loco parentis and legal liability concerning calling or not calling parents) have caused many college counselors to pause and consider their role in managing these student issues. The National Survey of Counseling Center Directors (Gallagher, 2003) recently reflected heightened concern on the part of counseling center directors regarding the perceived increase in prevalence and severity of students with mental illness on their campuses. College counselors have an ethical and professional responsibility to advocate for clients (Lee, 1998). Thus, in response to the increase in number and severity of issues being presented by students, dialogue with college counselors at various schools, and reviews of the literature (all issues that are secondary to a professional obligation to advocate for this population and to provide early intervention), the counseling center staff established a comprehensive campuswide program tided "The New Diversity Initiative." A multidisciplinary team headed by the counseling center staff, with the inclusion of members of Judicial Affairs and Disability Services as well as the academic dean and the associate dean of Student Affairs, developed this multifaceted program to achieve the following goals: educate the college campus community about mental illness and psychological distress among the college student population; provide guidance for faculty, staff, and students regarding how to interact with this population from both supportive and self-protective perspectives; and educate faculty, staff, and students about the resources, policies, and procedures available for dealing with this population and these issues when they become significantly problematic or outright disruptive. …