Dorm Staff Trained on Mental Health Support

By Addison Speck, Reporter

Tools

By Jay Knoll

Story Created: Jan 19, 2012 at 9:45 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 20, 2012 at 7:21 AM CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa - According to the American College Health Association, about 10 percent of college students were diagnosed or treated with anxiety or depression in the past year. So are there enough resources on college campuses to help those who may face mental health issues?

Experts say mental health awareness continues to rise but you can’t always just call 911 to fix the problem. As some college students try and balance school, work, and life, one local organization wants more people on campus “in the know” of how to spot and help someone in need.

College students have a lot on their plate. That’s why the Community Mental Health Center for Mid-Eastern Iowa wants to help. The center hopes to team up with the University of Iowa, to provide residence hall staff with Mental Health First Aid Training. “This is prime time for psychotic disorders to develop in, we’ve seen this time and time again,” said Jason Knight, with the Mental Health Center.

Details are still few but residence staff would have to attend a 12 hour training course over 2 days. It would provide them the tools to handle someone with any type of mental health issue, from depression to substance abuse. “Having more folks trained in being able to recognize and approach somebody who might be having a crisis could avert all kinds of additional problems,” said Knight.

Students KCRG-TV9 talked to on Thursday agreed. Many say they know other students who could benefit from having someone trained in mental health first aid nearby and ready to step in. “There was actually a kid on my floor that had a mental breakdown the day before school so it is just important for the RA’s are capable to handle that stuff,” said Matt Kilian, a student at Iowa, who lives in the dorms. “I think it would be a good idea because not everybody knows how to handle it especially if you’re not close to your roommate,” said Kathryn McKenzie, a student at Iowa, who lives in the dorms.

When early detection is key, the center said having residence staff that know what to look for, could help save a life. The concept of being Mental Health First Aid certified is fairly new. The center said they first started using the tools and training this summer. Their goal is to work out the details and have Residence staff trained by next school year.

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