Lend a Hand: Supporting Student Mental Health
October 7, 2022
A 2021 study led by the BU School of Public Health found that eight in 10 faculty members had a one-on-one conversation with a student about mental health in the last 12 months. This same study found that most faculty did not know enough about mental health and campus resources to feel effective in those conversations.
We know that faculty support can have a positive impact on students' academic success and overall well-being, and we want Bentley faculty to feel empowered should a conversation such as this arise with a student. To that end, a resource page for faculty has been created to provide faculty with easy to adopt teaching strategies, information on the current mental health landscape, and an overview of our campus resources dedicated to mental health support.
Faculty should also consider attending a brown bag session held later this month on supportive teaching strategies. Here is the information on that session:
Mental Health Teaching Strategies Brown Bag with the Counseling Center, Community Wellbeing, and Care Team
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October 20, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. (In person only, location is LaCava 335) |
We all have a responsibility for promoting a culture of caring and respect. In this brown bag lunch discussion, the Learning Design Team, the Counseling Center, Community Wellbeing and Care Team will answer your questions on how you can support wellbeing while maintaining high academic expectations for students. |
Creating a campus culture of caring and respect is a shared responsibility, and one that often involves small efforts that have a large impact. Here are some quick strategies you can consider implementing:
- Let students know that you care about their success. You can (and should) have high expectations for your students, but you can let them know in class, in your syllabus, and on your Blackboard site that you want to see them succeed in your course and as Bentley students.
- Promote messages that counteract stigma. Utilizing inclusive language and examples help students see themselves as scholars and learners who belong at Bentley.
- Listen with empathy. If a student is sharing with you a temporary or long-term concern or struggle, please do not ask them to “give you the short version.” Give them space to share this experience at their own pace. When they are done sharing, let them know you care and want to connect them with expert support services. Then you can review the resources on this page to make those referrals.
- Educate yourself. You are already doing so by visiting this page. You are not expected to be a mental health counselor or expert but understanding the challenges facing our students today supports a feeling. Another resource that Bentley has launched is a virtual simulation training designed to educate our community on mental health support called Kognito.
- Related to the bullet above, you should not replicate or replace counseling or other support services. Please refer students, when appropriate, to a resource in the link above for expert support and care. Doing so with empathy can encourage your student to receive the help they need to succeed.