ACUE and Active Minds Collaborate to Strengthen Support of Student Mental Health
WASHINGTON, DC – Active Minds and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) recently announced their collaboration to strengthen faculty members’ ability to appropriately support student mental health. Active Minds and ACUE will collaborate on a set of recommendations to guide faculty, and faculty development, in appropriately supporting, responding to, and referring students to available resources on college and university campuses nationwide.
“Nationally, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among college students are on the rise,” says Alison Malmon, founder and executive director of Active Minds. “Our research shows that next to a friend or the campus counseling center, students most want to talk to a faculty member or their academic advisor when they are struggling. Students regularly look to their professors as mentors and seek from them academic and career advice. However, according to a recent survey conducted by Active Minds with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), 67 percent of students do not yet feel comfortable approaching them on matters of mental health. We hope to change that by providing faculty with the information and tools to appropriately respond.”
“Active Minds’ focus on mental health across college campuses aligns with ACUE’s mission to ensure that faculty are prepared to help students succeed. Faculty are experts in their discipline, not mental health. But, mental wellbeing impacts learning,” says Jonathan Gyurko, president and co-founder of ACUE. “We’re excited to partner with Active Minds to learn from their expertise and develop recommendations to support institutions, faculty, and students.”
Once validated, recommended practices will be promoted through a report expected to be published later this academic year.
“Our work together will positively impact thousands of students reached everyday by Active Minds,” says Malmon. “We have known for a long time that, given the right tools, faculty play an important role in effectively addressing mental health from a public health, campus-wide approach. It is thrilling to launch this initiative, the first-of-its-kind with our partners at ACUE.”
About Active Minds
Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Active Minds has a presence on over 800 college, university, and high school campuses nationwide, and is powered by a robust Chapter Network, the nationally acclaimed Send Silence Packing® exhibit, and inspiring Active Minds Speakers. The organization is dedicated to ending the silence and changing the conversation about mental health for everyone. To learn more, visit www.activeminds.org.
About ACUE
The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) believes that all college students deserve an extraordinary education and that faculty members play a critical role in their success. In partnership with institutions of higher education nationwide, ACUE supports and credentials faculty members in the use of evidence-based teaching practices that drive student engagement, retention, and learning. Faculty members who complete ACUE courses earn certificates in effective college instruction endorsed by the American Council on Education. ACUE’s Community of Professional Practice connects college educators from across the country through member forums, podcasts, and updates on the latest developments in the scholarship of teaching and learning. To learn more, visit www.acue.org.