Student Suggestions On How Faculty Can Support Mental Health

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Faculty have an important role when it comes to supporting student mental health on campus.  Faculty are often seen as mentors, allies, and guides through a student's academic career and beyond.  For these reasons, it can be important for faculty to know UM campus resources and engage in our community of caring with regards to mental health.  

CAPS Student Advisory Board created the following list of ways that faculty can support their mental health:

 

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  • Add this website from the UM Academic Support Services to your syllabus
  • Add this recommended syllabus statement from Central Student Government:

    Student Mental Health and Wellbeing The University of Michigan is committed to advancing the mental health and wellbeing of its students, while acknowledging that a variety of issues, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, and depression, directly impacts students’ academic performance.  If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and/or in need of support, services are available.  For help, contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (734) 764-8312 and https://caps.umich.edu/ during and after hours, on weekends and holidays or through its counselors physically located in schools on both North and Central Campus. You may also consult University Health Service (UHS) at (734) 764-8320 and https://www.uhs.umich.edu/mentalhealthsvcs, or for alcohol or drug concerns, see www.uhs.umich.edu/aodresources.  For a more comprehensive listing of the broad range of mental health services available on campus, please visit: http://umich.edu/~mhealth/.

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    Student Mental Health and Wellbeing The University of Michigan is committed to advancing the mental health and wellbeing of its students. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and/or in need of support, services are available. For help, contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (734) 764-8312 and https://caps.umich.edu/ during and after hours, on weekends and holidays, or through its counselors physically located in schools on both North and Central Campus. You may also consult University Health Service (UHS) at (734) 764-8320 and https://www.uhs.umich.edu/mentalhealthsvcs, or for alcohol or drug concerns, see www.uhs.umich.edu/aodresources. For a listing of other mental health resources available on and off campus, visit: http://umich.edu/~mealth/.

  • Invite students to contact you via office hours, email and phone.
  • In 2015-16, nearly 50% of students who came into CAPS had never received counseling in the past.
  • Be open-minded, non-judgmental and flexible to different communicative, cultural and coping styles.
  • Familiarize yourself with all the great resources at the International Center.
  • Example: 1st years are adjusting to being on their own for the first time.
  • Example: Graduate students are juggling multiple roles both personally and professionally.
  • Our diverse staff specializes in college student mental health. We provide confidential, solution-focused, individual, couples and group therapy to UM students at no charge.
  • Check out how students access CAPS counseling services HERE.

MiTalk is a self-help section of our website that provides skill-building tools on managing stress and academic life.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a university-based suicide prevention training offered by CAPS staff. Request a QPR training for your department HERE.

When needed, collaborate with the Dean of Students office, your dean, colleagues or student life professionals in your department.