Student Mental Health: We can All Make a Difference

Patricia Mirwaldt, MDCheryl Washburn, PhD

Overview

• How health concerns impact UBC students academic performance

• The link between mental health and student success

• An ecological model of student mental health context

• A campus wide student mental health promotion plan

Lower grade on exam/important project; lower grade in the course; Incomplete or dropped course; Significant disruption in thesis/research or practicum work.

Last 12 months diagnosed/treated: Anxiety Women Men

No 90.6% 95.6%

Yes, diagnosed but not treated 3.4% 1.4%

Yes, treated with medication 2.4% 1.5%

Yes, treated with psychotherapy 1.5% .6%

Yes, treated with medication and psychotherapy 1.8% .7%

Yes, other treatment .3% .2%

Last 12 months diagnosed/treated: Depression

No 90.1% 95.1%

Yes, diagnosed but not treated 2.9% .9%

Yes, treated with medication 2.8% 1.6%

Yes, treated with psychotherapy 1.7% 1.2%

Yes, treated with medication and psychotherapy 2.0% 1.2%

Yes, other treatment .4% .0%

Within the last 12 months, any of the following been traumatic or very difficult to handle:

Issue UBC Undergrads Reference Group

Academics 54 43

Intimate relnship 30 30

Finances 30 35

Social relnship 24 23

Family problems 25 27

Career 27 20

Pers. appearance 20 21

Health problem 20 15

Sleep difficulties 25 23

Reference group: publically funded research intensive, 20k+ students NCHA participants fall 2009

Within the last 12 months, Have any of the following Affected Your Academic Performance

Issue UBC Undergrads Reference Gp

Stress 36% 26

Sleep difficulties 24 19

Anxiety 24 17

Internet Use 24 12

Depression 14 10

Extracurricular 14 9

Work 15 14

Finances 8 7

Cold or flu 24 17

In the last 12 months have you experienced any of the following?

Feeling UBC Reference Group

Hopeless 51 45

Overwhelmed 88 85

Exhausted 87 79

Very lonely 62 57

Very sad 66 60

Overwhelming Anxiety

51 46

So depressed difficult to function

34 28

Overwhelming anger

39 37

Considered suicide 6 6

Attempted suicide 1 1

Why Does Student Mental Health Matter?

• Eisenberg et al(2009): depression is a significant predictor of lower GPA and higher probability of dropping out.

• (Hysenbegasi et al (2005): a significant, negative association between GPA and untreated depression (whereas treated depression is not associated with a significant difference in GPA).

• Andrews & Wilding (2004): depression (but not anxiety) measured midway through the second year is negatively related to exam scores at the end of the second year.

• Ratner et al(In press): students’ perceived ability to manage their stress could significantly reduce depressive symptoms.

UBC Policies and Practices

Academic Work

Staff and FacultyResidence

Resources and Facilities

SocialConnections

PoliticsFamily

Finance

Events

Culture

CommunityHealth Systems

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing

Jobs/CareersSocial

Mental Health Treatment

Support In Coping &

Three Tier Mental Wellbeing Model

NeedingMental Health

Treatment

NeedingSupport in

Coping & Skill Building

Able to Cope Well; Resilient

Mental Health and Wellbeing Cross Functional Team

Interim ReportMarch 30, 2010

1. UBC POLICY • Unit policy review/revision

• Academic concession policy

• Mental Health leave policy

Strategy: Targeting All Students

2. SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

• Reinforcement and reward initiatives that support connectedness

• Social Space standards• First Year Learning Communities

Strategy: Targeting All Students

3. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

• Mental Health Awareness: increase awareness of relationship between mental health and academic success

• Academic plan• Orientation

Strategy: Targeting All Students

4. EDUCATION & TRAINING

• New Faculty and Staff Training• Mental Health First Aid• Faculty and Staff Handbook• Frontline Advisor• Student Leader Training

Target: Needing Support in Coping & Skill Building

5. EARLY ALERT SYSTEM

• Protocol development• Student System to track data• Behavioral Intervention Team• Coordinated training

Target: Needing Support in Coping

& Skill Building

6. SELF MANAGEMENT SKILLS

• Online resources: interactive online resources to increase resilience

• Coaching

Target: Needing Support in Coping

& Skill Building

7. MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES • Triage system to increase initial access to

Counselling• Resources to manage increased demand for

follow up Counselling• Streamline Hospital Emergency, RCMP,

Counselling and Psychiatry referrals

Target: Needing Mental Health Treatment

• Student Mental Health Assessment

• Environmental Determinants Assessment

Assessment