Needs Assessment for Ithaca College’s Wellness Center

1. Needs Assessment for Ithaca College’s Wellness Center Brandie Parker, Divine Sebuharara, & Lyann Yokoyama HPEG 53500: Assessment in Schools and Communities

2. 2011 NCHA data for Ithaca college Secondary data on depression, anxiety, & relationships

4. Too depressed that it was difficult to function: Ithaca College 31.4% felt so depressed that it was difficult to function (past 12 months) National Institute of Mental Health (2011), reports around 30% of college students reported feeling too depressed to function. Past Literature

5. Self-Injuring behavior Ithaca College 6.6% of students reported intentionally cutting, burning, bruising, or otherwise self-injuring in the past 12 months. A study found that a substantial amount of students reported self-injury behaviors in their lifetime. (Whitlock, Eckenrode, & Silvermand, 2006) • Previous Literature

7. Ithaca College vs. Previous Literature Ithaca College Over 11% of students report suffering from anxiety. The National Institute of Mental Health (2011), reports that about 11% of college students have anxiety. Previous Literature

8. Are our students receiving adequate and appropriate mental health services? Ithaca College 21.1% (over 1 in 5) of students report being diagnosed with some type of psychiatric disorder Are these students failing to seek out services? Studies report that despite the high numbers of students who report having a psychiatric disorder or mental health issues only about 20% (Zivin, Eisenberg, Gollust, & Goldberg, 2009) - 25% (Blanco, et al., 2008) sought services for their affliction. Previous Literature

10. What are the most common services students seek at Ithaca College? Interview and Survey results Primary Data

11. Survey Results from Wellness Center

12. How Highly Stigmatized is Seeking Services?

13. Qualitative Survey Responses - Responsiveness • Readiness to change of the students seeking services was unique for each individual. • Responses from the Counselors on readiness to change include: 1. "Some show up and are not ready to change" 2. "Not all people are ready to make improvements, individual circumstances vary greatly"

14. Qualitative Survey Responses - Improvement in Mental State Common themes for improvement witnessed by the providers can be broken down into three forms of validation: 1. Visual • This form of validation was commonly reported by the providers in the survey • Examples from the survey include: "I observe it in them", "my observation", "reduced symptoms", and "they visit regularly with the doctor" 2. Verbal • This form of validation includes students verbally telling their provider that their mental state has improved • Examples from the survey include: "They tell me", "Students self report in session", "direct feedback" and "report being stabilized" 3. Written • This form of validation refers to students written report of improvements to their mental health, usually in the form of an evaluation • Examples from the survey include: "students self-report in evaluation surveys" and "evaluation data"

15. Qualitative Survey Responses - Satisfaction with Services Overall, most providers feel that students are satisfied with the mental health services they receive at Ithaca College. Providers reported knowing this because: 1. "They indicate this on our evaluations every semester" and 2. "we have evaluation data to support this" Still, another interesting perspective from a RN in the Hammond Health Center reported that "some have the unrealistic expectation that medication/treatment will remove the symptoms completely” • This shows that while students are reporting being satisfied with the services they receive, there may be a disconnect with the treatment and maintenance

16. Suggestions for Improvement at the Counseling and Wellness Center While providers feel that students seeking services are satisfied, they agree that there is room for improvement: • "More staff and physical space for services” • "We need more staff to accommodate the ever-growing numbers of students who need services” • "Enhanced resources for professional development” • "Restructure allotment of time to prevent counselor burnout” • “Location”

17. Interview with A Counselor from the Counseling and Wellness Center

18. Counselor Background Interview: • June 4th at 3PM • Personal office of the counselor located in the Counseling and Wellness Center on campus • They have been a part of the Counseling and Wellness Center at Ithaca College for 10 years.

19. Q: What issues are most common among the students seeking services? • A: • Most common are depression and anxiety. Also: • Relationships with friends/family/roommates • Self-doubt • Death • Eating disorders

20. Q: Is there a time during the year when you see these students most? • A: • First 5 weeks of each semester • usually includes a waiting list for students to receive follow-up appointment • Generally no sessions during finals weeksince students tend to prioritize final exams and assignments over their counseling sessions

21. Q: Do you think the students are satisfied with the services provided? • A: • More than satisfied • IC Counseling and Wellness Center sees more students than the average college campus (14%-16%) • Data is collected for client satisfaction

22. Q: Is there any outside help offered or provided? • A: • Yes, there is no shortage of therapists in Ithaca. • Students have the option to be put on waitlist or referred to someone in town • Some students may need more sessions than what the Counseling and Wellness Center can provide, so they may go see someone in town • However, fewer than who they refer actually go to these appointments. • Transportation and time constraint may be major barriers

23. Q: What programs are offered to address the issues you see students come in with? • A: • It is hard to be out in the community when there is a high demand at the Center. • Dr. Mikowski provides a meditation program. • Group therapy programs: (May vary each year depending on the demand) • Sexual assault survivor group • Depression support group • Difficult emotions group • Eating disorders group • Interviewee’s program: • Pathways: suicide and crisis intervention • Students have the opportunity to learn how to recognize and respond to situations and how to help someone who is in distress.

24. Q: Is Group Counseling Successful? A: Yes Students enjoy talking with other students struggling with similar issues Find comfort in sharing experiences and/or hearing others Resistance to group therapy for various reasons May not feel comfortable talking with a group and prefer one on one interaction May be uncomfortable with the idea that they will see classmates in the same group Finding a time to meet that suits all of the students schedules can be a barrier No Pathways: Students have said that they were able to utilize the skills learned in the program to approach a friend or classmate who needed help.

25. Q: Is there an area where more can be done? A: 1. Reducing stigmas • Reduced on the campus community; should be no shame in seeking help • Leaders should say it is okay to seek treatment (i.e., the President of the college could make a statement or announcement during Convocation. 2. Minimizing services provided • Advocate for reducing stigma leads to an increase of students seeking services 3. More counseling staff • Currently 7 counseling staff to accommodate 6,000 students • IC Counseling and Wellness Center sees more than typical percent of campus community (15% vs. 10%) and therefore, need more to accommodate these numbers

26. Conclusion • There is a lot of overlap from previous literature, the NCHA, the provided surveys investigators distributed, and the personal interview conducted at the Counseling and Wellness Center. • Ithaca College’s data on anxiety and depression are in line with previous literature on national data. • Survey results from the Counseling and Wellness Center’s staff is supported by this data. • Depression and anxiety along with relationship issues are the most common issues addressed within the Ithaca College community.

27. Conclusion • Interview with counselor highlighted need for. . . • Increased staff to accommodate the needs of the community • Increased awareness of the services the Counseling and Wellness Center provides to Ithaca College • Increased advocacy to reduce negative stigmas associated with seeking mental health treatment • Overall, students at Ithaca College are more than satisfied with the services provided by the Counseling and Wellness Center. By addressing the above issues, the Counseling and Wellness Center can help a greater number of students at Ithaca College who may be dealing with mental health issues.

28. Thank you! Any questions?