Local community colleges in Kentucky are making efforts to address the significant demand for mental health aid from their student body.
Kentucky Community and Technical College System Launches Comprehensive Mental Health Strategy
In response to the growing mental health concerns among students, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is taking a significant step forward by launching a Mental Health Strategy. This initiative, aimed at addressing the unique mental health needs of approximately 100,000 students, is part of a broader trend in community colleges across the United States.
According to the Healthy Minds Study conducted in 2024, 68% of KCTCS students reported experiencing depression, and 66% reported having anxiety. The study also highlighted a high prevalence of other mental health issues, with 13% of students at risk of an eating disorder and 20% having already engaged in "self-injurious behavior."
Financial and housing concerns, food insecurity, upheaval following natural disasters, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are among the stressors faced by KCTCS students. The study revealed that 23% of respondents reported worrying about not having stable housing in the past year, and 15% expressed concern about losing their steady place to live in the future. Moreover, 45% of respondents were worried about not having enough food.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these challenges, KCTCS President Ryan Quarles has prioritized mental health since taking on his role in 2023. He argues that prioritizing mental health would help students succeed in the long run and increase the economic prosperity of the state.
The Mental Health Strategy includes several key components. KCTCS colleges will have the freedom to customize their mental health approach to cater to the unique needs of their campus population. The strategy also includes educating employees and students about mental health, creating a centralized document of mental health resources, developing a peer wellness program, providing staff with trainings on spotting depression and anxiety, and more.
KCTCS plans to conduct more surveys of students to monitor what works to improve mental health. The system also plans to apply for grant funding to support the mental health efforts, but for now, it comes out of the general budget.
Examples of successful mental health strategies can be found in community colleges across the country. Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) employs a Student Wellness Inclusion Model, a tiered care system that integrates services for food, housing, mental and physical health, transportation, and safe spaces. MCCC's Wellness Centers provide sensory rooms, counseling (in-person and telehealth), peer support spaces, and food pantries to holistically support students’ academic success and well-being.
Broader collaborative efforts are also evident, such as the Mental Health Community Collaborative (MHCC) in Texas. This federally funded initiative engages community health workers, educators, college students, mental health professionals, and others in open dialogue to find actionable local mental health solutions, including for college environments.
The Mental Health Strategy is a significant step towards addressing the high prevalence of mental health issues among KCTCS students. By implementing holistic wellness centers with multiple service types, tiered mental health support models, community and cross-sector collaborations, and leveraging national partnerships and legislation, KCTCS aims to comprehensively and sustainably address these challenges.
- In an effort to combat rising mental health concerns among its students, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) has initiated a Mental Health Strategy, aiming to address the unique needs of around 100,000 students.
- The Healthy Minds Study in 2024 revealed that 68% of KCTCS students experienced depression, and 66% had anxiety, with other mental health issues such as eating disorders and self-injurious behavior also prevalent.
- Financial concerns, housing instability, food insecurity, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic are among the stressors impacting KCTCS students, with 23% worried about unstable housing and 45% concerned about food insecurity.
- KCTCS President Ryan Quarles has prioritized mental health since 2023, arguing that addressing these issues is crucial for student success and economic prosperity statewide.
- The Mental Health Strategy includes customizable mental health approaches, employee and student education, a centralized resource document, peer wellness programs, depression and anxiety spotting trainings, and more.
- The strategy also emphasizes the importance of holistic wellness centers, tiered mental health support models, community collaborations, and partnerships to achieve comprehensive and sustainable mental health improvements.
