Making Positive Change

By Laura Ilioaei ’23, December 9, 2021

Healthy Minds survey findings propel positive reforms.

Hammond Health Center houses the Center for Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS).

(Photo by Andrew Frasz)

Ithaca College has made a commitment to student mental health. As part of that commitment, in the summer of 2020 the college joined JED Campus, an initiative of the JED Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with colleges in order to enhance existing mental health services.

As part of this comprehensive approach, this past March the college conducted the Healthy Minds Survey, asking students to share their input on mental health services at the college. A total of 1,226 students participated, and their feedback was illuminating.

“I can run around and create nine thousand different things, but if none of them are relevant to students, that’s going to be bad. So, we need to get the data as best we can from students, so we know what we need to create.”

Brian Petersen, director of the Center for Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS).

“It’s important data, because you need to know what the student experience is,” said Brian Petersen, director of the Center for Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS). “I can run around and create nine thousand different things, but if none of them are relevant to students, that’s going to be bad. So, we need to get the data as best we can from students, so we know what we need to create.”

The student responses revealed many positives, including that nearly two-thirds of students reported that they believe the college prioritizes students’ mental health, nearly 80% reported that the campus climate encourages free and open discussions regarding mental and emotional health, and nearly 99% reported that if they saw someone expressing strong mental distress or thoughts of suicide, they would intervene or try to help them. Additionally, nearly 90% of students reported knowing where to go on campus if they need mental health services.

“I think there’s a certain skepticism and wariness on the part of some students about what it would be like to talk to a counselor. ‘Am I really going to be listened to? Am I really going to be valuied? Am I really going to be accepted? My job as a counselor is to say ‘yes, you will be valued, you will be accepted.’”

Brian Petersen

However, the data also revealed that there’s still stigmas that need to be overcome regarding feelings of shame surrounding mental illness, and the desire to keep those feelings internal and private.

“I think there’s a certain skepticism and wariness on the part of some students about what it would be like to talk to a counselor. ‘Am I really going to be listened to? Am I really going to be valued? Am I really going to be accepted? My job as a counselor is to say ‘yes, you will be valued, you will be accepted,’' Peterson said.

The center is going to use the data to adjust processes and procedures and will seek out to collaborate with student organizations to integrate itself into campus life.

Peterson is also open to speaking with students at any time. “I really want to be open and available to The Ithacan, WICB, and to all the channels of information directed to students,” he said.

The next Healthy Minds Survey will be conducted in 2024.