A new initiative is transforming mental health support for Black and Brown college students, reaching over 50 campuses nationwide — and it’s just getting started. The Excellence in Mental Health on Campus program is spearheaded by The Steve Fund, a national organization that works to support the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.
With the rates of mental health illness, overdose, and suicide death increasing among young people of color — the organization is offering campus level resources by and for students. Monica Ingkavet, director of program and partnerships at the organization, says part of their focus on young people of color is because of existing disparities they experience.
The initiative comes at a time when access to mental health resources is increasingly difficult, expensive, and scarce. Meeting students where they are offers young college students the opportunity to get connected with others and care for their mental health.
Word In Black sat down with Ingkavet, who shared more about this initiative and it’s importance to the mental health of young Black and Brown students. Comments were condensed and edited for clarity.
Word In Black: Tell me how the excellence in mental health on campus initiative started?
Monica Ingkavet: We have three strategic priorities and pillars. The first one, we transform educational, organizational and emotional weel being of young people of color. The second one is to provide resources and skill building directly to young people. Three is, we shape the field.
We started the excellence in mental health on campus initiative. The main goal is to guide and support institutions through an impactful 18-month process that makes the mental health of students a campus wide priority. We have worked with 66 institutions. And we are recruiting for our eighth cohort to kick off in the fall.
WIB: What is happening during this 18-month process?
MI: When each institution joins, they have to create a steering committee. It’s usually about eight to 12 people. We encourage the committee to include students and is a representation of the campus community. Those steering committee members then join a learning community that meets throughout these 18-months.
This committee will gather data and share it with The Steve Fund. Based on that data, they create a needs assessment report — then one of our coaches works with them to submit an action plan. We work with this committee to implement this action plan. And they work with our mental health experts who are giving them additional professional development resources.
WIB: What has been the response so far?
MI: Several cohorts have hosted mental health symposiums. Some of them have also invited other colleges and universities to join. One school hosted a mental health event on campus, including all staff and faculty — so that everyone can be supportive of student’s mental health.
One school learned from their student listening sessions, that students felt they didn’t have enough peer support. So that school, worked to increase group offerings. Another institution has increased their culturally responsive training for faculty and staff — to be more trauma informed.
Many schools have increased listening sessions and workshops for their students. We also provide tool kits to help students who are going back to school.
WIB: When thinking about the rates of mental health illness, overdose, and suicide rates in Black and Brown communities — how did that influence the decision to target young POC on college & university campuses?
MI: Rates of mental illness are similar across racial and ethnic groups. However, there are disparities in overdose, suicide rates, access to mental health services among certain populations. The Steve Fund provides programs and resources tailored to benefit young people across the board and address the gaps in services.
