Mental Health

This page is an index of ACHA and other resources on this topic. Resources include association projects, programs, publications, guidelines, and more. Additional information may be available under “External Resources.”

ACHA Resources

Mental Health Section [members only]

Higher Education Mental Health Alliance (HEMHA)
The Higher Education Mental Health Alliance is a partnership providing leadership to advance college mental health. ACHA is one of nine members of the alliance.

ACHA Brochures for Young Adults 

ACHA Programs

ACHA-National College Health AssessmentThe ACHA-National College Health Assessment is a nationally recognized research survey that provides current, relevant, and precise data about students’ health habits, behaviors, and perceptions. Data from this survey covers smoking habits, contraception use, mental health issues, relationship difficulties, sexual behaviors, exercise habits, preventive health practices, perceptions of drug and alcohol use, and more. Data also includes Impediments to Academic Performance (see "Data Highlights").

External Resources

ACHA thanks its committee, coalition, task force, and section volunteers for providing resources and links concerning this topic. ACHA does not endorse or accept responsibility for the content or use of external websites.

After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools
A free downloadable toolkit developed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center to assist schools in the aftermath of a suicide (or other death) in a school community. 

American Association of Suicidology

American College Counseling Association

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

American Psychiatric Association

American Psychological Association

The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors

Campus MHAP: A Guide to Campus Mental Health Action Planning
This free resource was developed by The Jed Foundation and Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) to help college and university professionals develop a comprehensive plan to promote the mental health of their campus communities and support students who are struggling emotionally or are distressed. 

College Counseling and Psychological Services Knowledge Base
A comprehensive database of college counseling research publications in the college counseling, counseling psychology, college health, college student development, and professional counseling literatures, 1998-2013.

Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS)
CAS has been the preeminent force for promoting standards in student affairs, student services, and student development programs since its inception in 1979. The CAS Professional Standards for Higher Education is available at the CAS website.

A Counselor's Guide to Mental Health and Wellness
A repository of mental health and wellness resources from Bradley University, including resources on suicide prevention, depression, eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, and anxiety and stress management.

The Jed Foundation, Framework for Developing Institutional Protocols for the Acutely Distressed or Suicidal College Student
This resource provides college or university communities with a list of issues to consider when developing a safety protocol, developing an emergency contact notification protocol, and developing a leave of absence and re-entry protocol.

Freedom From Fear 
A national not-for-profit mental health advocacy association

Gift from Within 
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resources

The Healthy Minds Network for Research on Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health

International Association of Counseling Services 
The International Association of Counseling Services accredits university and college counseling centers and public and private counseling agencies and advances the professional development of counseling services by establishing and encouraging high standards of professional performance and conduct.

The Jed Foundation

Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association)

Screening for Mental Health

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

The Jed Foundation/NMHA report, Safeguarding Your Students against Suicide
The Jed Foundation is committed to reducing the youth suicide rate and improving the mental health support provided to college students nationwide. The foundation, in partnership with the National Mental Health Association, has made available a monograph developed from the findings of a roundtable of experts organized in Washington, D.C.

The monograph, Safeguarding Your Students Against Suicide, is intended to increase awareness of suicide among college students, provide concrete data supporting the need for action, and help in the development of programming. Several ACHA members participated in the roundtable discussion that led to the development of the monograph: co-moderator Morton Silverman, MD (University of Chicago); Jackie Ayers, PhD (University of Florida); Ken Marsh, PhD (University of Arizona); Allan Schwartz, PhD (University of Rochester); and Brian Warren, PhD (Virginia Tech).
The complete monograph and the Executive Summary are available here to download.

Safeguarding Your Students Against Suicide Full Report [pdf]
Safeguarding Your Students Against Suicide Executive Summary [pdf] 

Ulifeline Website
ACHA has endorsed the www.Ulifeline.org website, indicating a general philosophical agreement with the intent and content of this online resource. The website is operated and offered through the Jed Foundation. This interactive site provides valuable resources and support for college-age students in times of crisis, doubt, or questioning; is designed as a template that can be customized to the needs of any college’s mental health center; and offers the ability to screen for suicide risk and depression. ACHA hopes that www.Ulifeline.org will prove beneficial to many college mental health care providers and the students they serve.

Women’s’ Mental Health Roundtable
ACHA was represented at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Women’s Mental Health Roundtable and Leadership Summit that took place December 10-11, 2007, in Washington, D.C. The goal of this roundtable was to bring together leaders of national organizations concerned with the health, mental health, and well-being of women to create and advance an agenda to improve women’s mental health through strategic and collaborative action. ACHA was represented by Alan J. Barnes, MDCM (University of Florida).

The following documents include a PowerPoint presentation given by the director of APA Minority and National Affairs, a list of participants, a summary of the roundtable, and an article covering the event from Psychiatric News.