1. Addressing the Increasing Demand for Student Services
Susan Mangold
Kutztown University
Karla Fonner
Slippery Rock University

2. About the presenters
Both presenters work at public, state institutions that are part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Both institutions are rural and enroll approximately 8,500 students.
Susan Mangold works as the Student Assistant Coordinator in the Dean of Students office at Kutztown University.
Karla Fonner works as the Director of Student Support in the Office of the Associate Provost for Student Success at Slippery Rock University.
NOTE: Content in this presentation includes information gained from a presentation for Kutztown University by the Educational Advisory Board (EAB), a national research company supporting higher education. Their research is conducted nationally with public and private institutions of varying sizes.
Brown, L. (December, 2017). Managing the Escalating Demand for Mental Health Services. Presented at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA.

3. Recent Trends Educational Advisory Board (EAB)1 Kutztown University
5.6% change in enrollment vs to 29.6% change in counseling center usage
Counseling center utilization outpaced enrollment growth by 5 times
Kutztown University
Counseling center has a wait list by the end of the first full month of school
Increased referrals to off-campus providers
Increased psych hospitalizations:
35 in
58 in
Slippery Rock University
Counseling Center Staff Shortage – what to do with the rest?
1270 Care Referrals to Student Support (12% of our population); 513 more than last year
Increases in other reports that are connected to MH (Financial, Title IX, Family Emergency, etc)
1Brown, L. (December, 2017). Managing the Escalating Demand for Mental Health Services. Presented at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA.

4. Why the increased demand?
Increased awareness
School shootings have led to more open conversations about mental health
Formal response structure
Mental Health trainings
Behavioral Intervention Teams
Reduced stigma
Campus/social media campaigns: students feel more comfortable to seek help.

5. What students bring to college
College counseling centers used to see mostly
Depression/anxiety
Developmental concerns
Relationship issues
Adjustment concerns
Increases in past years of complex psychological concerns:
Bipolar disorder/severe depression
Eating disorders
Poly-substance abuse/addictions
Schizophrenia
Spectrum disorder

6. Newer challenges Comfort animals requests
Transportation to/from appointments
Students transitioning from foster care/residential facilities
Students with significant psychological/medication histories
Students with shelter/food insecurity and severe financial need
Balancing enrollment/retention concerns with what’s best for students

7. Societal Impacts Changes in insurance Political climate
Changes in family structure/ parenting styles
Social media influence
Political climate

8. How to manage?
EAB2 concludes from their research that increased staffing is not the answer.
Universities must:
Re-think what and how counseling services are provided
Prioritize quick access for all students
This starts with:
Clearly defining the scope of care provided by the university/counseling center
Differentiating between
High-need students
Students with short-term needs
Low-risk students
2 Brown, L. (December, 2017). Managing the Escalating Demand for Mental Health Services. Presented at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA.

9. Students with Short-Term Needs
High-Need Students
Refer to off-campus services
Partner with community clinical resources
Develop protocol for follow-up
Students with Short-Term Needs
Restructure individual appointments
Explore dynamic staffing models
More effective use of group therapy
Low-Risk Students
Utilize self-service resources
Foster non-clinical connections
Partner with resources on- and off-campus
EAB3 Recommends
3 Brown, L. (December, 2017). Managing the Escalating Demand for Mental Health Services. Presented at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA.

10. Strategies at Kutztown University
Up Front
Developing a letter to go to new students/parents re: scope of services
Conversation at orientation regarding scope of services
Encourage parents to develop a plan for ongoing care in the community
In the Counseling Center
Consideration/use of more therapy groups
Reserving hours for crisis
Working to develop a more effective protocol for referrals
Working to establish a case management position

11. More Strategies at KU Outside the Counseling Center
Established a MindKare kiosk: provides self-screening of mental health issues, downloadable information and resources to help
Developed BearKit within the KU mobile app that provides information and resources for a variety of concerns
Established a part-time Health Coach position in Health Services that meets with students to find and schedule off-campus referrals that accept the students’ insurance
Partnered with Haven Behavioral Hospital to present “Chat Café,” a series of open workshops dealing with resiliency, healthy relationships, and mental health awareness

12. Strategies at Slippery Rock University
Going Mobile
Just In Case
Emotional Wellness Peer Coaching
Adjustment of Procedures: QPR; Hospitalization; Medical Withdrawal and Readmission;

13. Avoiding Split Treatment Issues -Treatment Team Approach
Residence Life; Health Service; Counseling Center; Behavioral Intervention Team; Success Coaches; Disability Services; Outside Services
Informed Consent Statement
Transparency with the student
Training, Training and More Training
Residence Life Curriculum
New Faculty and Staff Orientation
MySru (portal) video series

14. Discussion/Questions