October 12, 2021 | Anushree Gade, LHC Student Assistant
Mental health is often defined as “emotional, psychological, and social well-being” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). It was not until recent times that there was more awareness of mental health. Furthermore, there is also a stigma associated with the discussion and acceptance of mental health which may vary with culture.
In certain Asian cultures, the stigma surrounding mental health is colossal. Discussing mental health is considered taboo in these cultures. These aspects of culture that impact mental health cause people of that culture to undermine their mental health and well-being. As a result of this, many avoid seeking medical care to address it and avoid talking about it (Nishi, 2012). This stigma can also be seen in African American culture. In one study, 63% of African Americans responded that mental illnesses are seen as signs of weakness (National Alliance on Mental Illness [NAMI], n.d.). In Hispanic culture, it is common to keep private challenges to one’s self. This lack of discussion on such topics inhibits the acknowledgement of mental health and also creates a gap in knowledge in mental health issues and symptoms. Furthermore, this can contribute to strengthening the stigma surrounding mental health in this culture (NAMI, n.d.). As we can see through these examples, culture influences the level of stigma that surrounds the topic of mental health; it can positively reinforce that stigma if there is a lack of awareness around it.
Development of Mental Health at UAB
The mental health of college students has been of growing concern in the past couple of years. A survey conducted by Dr. Sarah Ketchen Lipson in 2020 revealed that half of the students that were surveyed presented symptoms of depression or anxiety and at least 83% said that their mental health was negatively impacting their academic success (McAlpine, 2021). With increases in mental health issues in students across college campuses, it is necessary for university administrations to implement policies, programs, and services which address this.
UAB has implemented several initiatives and services that aimed to address the issue of mental health on campus. One such initiative was the UAB CARES Suicide Prevention Initiative. CARES stands for “communicate, assess, refer, educate.” The goal of the UAB CARES initiative is to help connect students experiencing mental health concerns to resources that are on campus and off in order to help them. This initiative was started in the Fall of 2018 and was unanimously approved by the University’s President and senior cabinet (University of Alabama at Birmingham [UAB], n.d.).
Through the development of the UAB CARES initiative, several recommendations were made after reviewing the existing policies at the time (and were unanimously approved). These recommendations are categorized into three main groups: Prevention and Awareness; Education; and Policies, Procedures, and Services. The full listing of recommendations can be found here. As a result of this initiative, UAB has established that students and faculty should all be able to have continuity in care to support their mental health. Furthermore, the initiative prompted campus wide education efforts on the various crisis response teams available to UAB faculty, students, and staff. Crisis Text Lines specific to UAB were established and the University also began to offer training through the Kognito At-Risk program. Below is a list of resources that UAB provides for students’ mental health!
Do you need someone to talk to, but don’t feel like calling in? Well, you can utilize text to get access to the same service! The Crisis Text Line is a nationwide initiative that provides 24/7 text-based mental health support to those who need it. Text “UAB” to 741741. This partnership resulted from the Suicide Prevention Task Force's Recommendation 1.2
Training on how to approach individuals struggling with mental health issues and how to talk to them about their mental health in a supportive and well-intended manner. This partnership resulted from the Suicide Prevention Task Force's Recommendation 2.1
Student Counseling Services is not an emergency facility. Recommendation 3.4 from the Suicide Prevention Task Force called for clarification of the role of various crisis response services. https://www.uab.edu/students/counseling/crisis-emergency
Do you need support as you try and recover from alcohol, drug, or process addictions? The Collegiate Recovery Community brings together others that are also going through the recovery process. Those in the community empower and support each other as they go through the process of recovering. The Collegiate Recovery Community has weekly recovery meetings, organizes social events, and more.
https://www.uab.edu/students/wellness/uab-collegiate-recovery-community/get-involved
Are you a student that lives on campus and is looking for mental health support or counseling after hours? Connect with your Counselor in Residence. The Counselor in Residence will be available via zoom from 6:30-7:30 PM on Mondays-Thursdays and from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Fridays. The Counselor in Residence provides counseling, consultation, outreach, and emergency intervention/crisis care services.
https://www.uab.edu/students/counseling/our-services/counselor-in-residence
Are you worried about the well-being of a close friend or an acquaintance? Submit a Student in Distress Referral Form to notify UAB’s Student Assistance and Support teams about a student’s concerning behaviors. This is a step that you can take to ensure the safety and well-being of whoever you may be concerned about.
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UnivofAlabamaBirmingham&layout_id=2
Want to learn more about mental health, skills related to it, and ways you can sel-promote your mental health? Sign up for the Therapy Assistance Online program. This program offers a variety of educational videos to help you learn more about mental health, self-care, and mindfulness.
Are you interested in promoting mental health on the UAB Campus to your peers? The Mental Health Ambassadors program is for you! As a mental health ambassador, you can help develop educational programs to educate your peers about mental health, self-care, and more. You can also work to improve skills associated with addressing mental health concerns.
Are you looking for a LGBTQA community and resources? There are several resources at your disposal including safezone, The Gender and Sexuality Union at UAB, BorderTrans, and more. There are also a medical student group called MedPride: Gay/Straight Alliance and a graduate organization called GRADient.
Finding it hard to find a community? Togetherall is a platform that allows for peer-to-peer counseling and interaction, along with mental health training and resources to provide a toolkit for dealing with college-related stresses.
Are you a graduate student that is experiencing a crisis or need someone to talk to? Don’t hesitate and call the National Graduate Student Crisis Line at 1-877-472-3475. Individuals operating this crisis line are experienced and are able to cater to your needs as a graduate student.
Are you experiencing anxiety or stress because of COVID-19? Call in at 1-866-342-6892 to have free access to trained specialists who are experienced in providing support to individuals experiencing stress or anxiety. You can call this number any time of the day and any day of the week!
