By Lori Meurs
Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter hosted the Forum for Campus Mental Health on October 2 at the Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge. The focus of the forum was to provide the latest mental health and substance abuse tools to counselors and higher education administrators to better provide for changing student needs. There was also a special focus for the mental health needs of veterans attending college as they face a new stage of life after serving in the military (including combat situations).
There were 150 participants in attendance representing 29 Colorado colleges, including Colorado Mountain College. Skip Lee, Dean, Campus Student Affairs at CMC Timberline Campus, served on the planning committee for the forum. Other CMC personnel attending the forum included Mark McCabe, Dr. Ann Moll, and Lisa Runck.
The Forum began with a welcome and introductions from First Lady Ritter. Harold Kudler, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor at Duke University School of Medicine, was the keynote speaker on Friday morning. He coordinates mental health services for a three state region of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and is Acting Director of its Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center for Deployment Mental Health. He spoke on the special needs of veterans on campus. A panel discussion on veterans on campus followed. Ross Szabo, Director of Youth Outreach for the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign, spoke on the College Mental Health Landscape.
Other speakers included Robert House, M.d., Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Denver Health; Marshall Thomas, M.D., Professor & Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Denver School of Medicine, and Executive Director of the UC-Denver Depression Center; Ron Langer, MSW, LCSW, Private Practice, Denver Tech Center; Harriett Hall, Ph.D., President and CEO of Jefferson Center for Mental Health; Jarrod Hindman, MS, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; Sarah Longanecker, graduate student at Mills College; Mimi McFaul, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist and Associate Director of the Western Interstate commission for Higher Education Mental Health Program; and Dr. Hal Wortzel, Director of Neuropsychiatric Consultation Services, Denver VA’s VISN 19 MIRECC.
The remainder of the forum sessions focused on Campus Collaborative Care with discussions on mental health issues, depression and anxiety among college students.
There was an afternoon work session for participants on the Bazelton Center Model Policy Analysis. The model focuses on the commitment of colleges for the success of all their students, including those with mental and behavioral health needs, and knowing what to do when a student is in crisis because of a mental health problem. The colleges present were asked to implement the multi-disciplinary approach into their college policies by 2012. The model includes Guiding Principles; Counseling and Mental Health Services; Confidentiality; Accommodations; Leaves of Absence; Alternative Housing while Enrolled; Disciplinary Action; and Education and Training.
The forum concluded with final comments from First Lady Jeannie Ritter, who thanked the mental health centers, and encouraged an ongoing partnership with all participants to serve the needs of the emerging student population.