The University of Arizona
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March 2008
Volume 1, Issue 1
 

Research & Trends
Student Behavioral Health at The University of Arizona

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By Veda Kowalski, Ph. D. & Marian Binder, Ph. D.

In recent years, the behavioral health response in situations involving threat/harm to others has received significant attention on college campuses, largely as a result of a number of high profile events, such as The University of Arizona College of Nursing murders, and most recently, the shootings at Virginia Tech and violence on the UA campus early in the 2007 fall semester. Despite the significance and visibility of these events, it is important to note that during recent years, deaths from suicide and alcohol/drug related issues have exceeded murder rates significantly. While roughly 250 students have been murdered on educational campuses (K-12 and college) in the past 80 years, approximately 1,100 college students die by suicide annually. There are also approximately 640 suicide attempts daily, nationwide, on college campuses alone. In addition, there are approximately 1,700 alcohol related student deaths per year, 599,000 alcohol related injuries, and 696,000 alcohol related assaults (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2005).

Behavioral health on university campuses encompasses a range of behaviors that vary in scope, duration, severity and impact on the individual and the campus community. The specific type of behavior will define which system can best respond initially to the issue, determine the appropriate action needed, and then what resources are available and how to get the student to them.

Behavioral health isn’t limited to traditional mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and psychosis; it also comprises disruptive and threatening behavior, alcohol and drug use, being a victim of a traumatic event, suicidality, and interpersonal violence as well as fear generated by social events and the perception of risks to safety.

Systems and staffing levels must be in place to educate about, as well as respond to, early warning signs of distress, the ongoing behavioral health needs of the campus community, and issues that emerge in a crisis context.

We have a duty in terms of the educational mission of the university to maximize the chance for student success and the creation of a safe and healthy learning environment on the campus. In addressing these issues, the UA has various policies and procedures in place to increase campus safety such as the Campus Emergency Response Plan, the UA Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT), Workplace Violence Policy, and Disruptive and Threatening Behavior Policies. Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures, Weapons, Explosive Devices and Fireworks on Campus and the Exclusionary Order Policy are also related.

Beyond the existence of policies, education as to the nature of these issues and realistic response parameters must be available. Responding to the vast behavioral health needs of students requires adequate staff in the Dean of Students Office to identify problems, meet with students, and make relevant referrals for evaluation and care when indicated. Various protocols have been put into place to identify high risk behaviors and to support behavioral management protocols. These protocols include faculty/staff consultations, convening a behavioral assessment team, making administrative referrals to Counseling and Psychological Services, administering the health and safety protocol and making wellness checks on distressed students (see accompanying story). Once students are referred, or refer themselves for help, a substantial team of trained mental health professionals on both the student and faculty/staff side exists to provide these services.

The Dean of Students Office recently hosted two open campus forms on supporting disruptive and distressed students. A member of the Dean of Students Office team will also be glad to present this and other student support measures to your department. Please contact us to schedule a presentation.

Important Student Support Information

Links to Important Policies

Opportunities to learn more online – listen to the following Podcasts.

Please help the Dean of Students Office improve its online resources. After you have listened to one of our short podcasts or viewed an online training video, we would appreciate you providing feedback by taking a 1 minute survey. Complete the survey to send us your feedback.