Running head: SUMMARY PAPER 1

Summary Paper
Raven L. Stokes
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
NUR 3114
I Pledge
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Introduction

When most people think about going off to college, they associate it with having the

opportunity to build their future and evolve into the person they want to be. While college is a

platform for ones development, it is also when issues with mental illness can start to surface and

potentially derail ones success without the proper diagnosis, treatment and education. Many

students who suffer from mental illness often displayed subtle signs and symptoms before

transitioning to college. However, those once subtle signs and symptoms starts becoming more

prominent after entering college due to various reasons such as adjusting to the pressures of

school or being on ones own. As more colleges and universities are reporting an increase in the

usage of their mental health resources, the question at hand is, how are these schools effectively

meeting the demands of their students? What is being done to prevent students who are aware or

unaware of their illness from having a crisis that could destroy their future and affect others?

This paper will discuss how colleges are addressing this need and compare the services provided

to federal and global guidelines.

In a national survey conducted by the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), it was

found that the most common mental illnesses effecting college students are depression, bipolar

disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.(Gruttadaro & Crudo, 2012, p.8). All of which can

have drastic impact on ones ability to function should the illness be left untreated. The survey

goes on to reveal, That 64% of students dropped out of school due to their mental illness.

(Gruttadaro & Crudo, 2012, p.8). This is very alarming because these numbers show that the ball

is being dropped when it comes to the mental health of college students. There needs to be more

done to help these students effectively cope and manage their illness. According to Mary

Townsend, Any stressful event can participate to a crisis. (Townsend, 2014, p. 179). This
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simple statement shows why it is imperative for students battling mental health to know resource

available to help them.

The Embedded Model

One school that has stepped up to meet this challenge, is the University of Michigan. In

2014, the University of Michigan started implementing an embedded model to deliver its

mental health resources to students. Through the schools department of Counseling and

Psychological Services, which is commonly referred to as CAPS, mental health services are

now being provided to students directly, by having access to the universitys resources spread

throughout the campus. (Embedded Model, 2016). According to the universitys website, now

that there are mental health providers available at the different schools, Therapists can address

the specific and unique needs of each culture through confidential clinical service delivery and

tailored outreach, education, and prevention programs, engage with faculty and staff through

consultation, and develop materials specifically tailored to each school and college.(Embedded

Model, 2016). The ultimate goal of using this model is to, Increase support of all U of M

students mental health and wellness via direct, local service delivery, including clinical,

consultation, and prevention services targeting low and high risk needs, developmental issues,

diagnosable illnesses, crisis intervention, and psychiatric emergencies. (Embedded Model,

2016). Since the universitys implementation of their embedded model, the CAPS department

reported, An annual increase of 17% during the 2014-2015 academic year, from its usual 4% in

previous years. (Hummer, 2015). Some of the services provided by CAPS includes individual,

group, and couple counseling, where they help address various issues such as depression,

anxiety, low self-esteem. The department helps student gain access to outside sources by

providing referrals. Students also have access to services after hours for various crisis issues.
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Federal Guidelines

When comparing the University of Michigan embedded model to federal guidelines,

overall the program is moving in the right direction. According to the Healthy People 2020 there

are various guidelines for treating mental illness such as, Reducing the proportion of adults

aged 18 years and older who experience major depressive episodes. (Mental Health and Mental

Disorders, 2016). The university is meeting this goal by providing students access to resources

such as individual and group therapy which can provide early intervention and decrease the

chances of major depressive disorders from occurring. The CAPS department is also following

through with federal guideline of Increasing the proportion of primary care facilities that

provide mental health treatment onsite or by paid referral. (Mental Health and Mental

Disorders, 2016). When students choose to use the services at CAPS, they are given access to

receive referrals for services that the center cannot accommodate or for personal preferences.

Healthy People 2020 also includes the guideline of, Increasing the proportion of persons with

co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders who receive treatment for both disorders,

(Mental Health and Mental Disorders, 2016). Which CAPS abides to through providing services

for students who are battling substance abuse. Though reviewing and comparing the services the

University of Michigan provides to federal guidelines the CAPS department is making a

tremendous effort to meet these guidelines and provide quality services to students.

Global Guidelines

Global guidelines established by the World Health Organization, are geared towards the

overall goal of, Promoting mental well-being, preventing mental disorders, providing care,

enhancing recovery, promoting human rights and reducing the mortality, morbidity and disability

for persons with mental disorders. (World Health Organization, 2013). In order to accomplish
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this, WHO has developed a six approaches that involves the following: universal health coverage

to obtain quality care, human rights by requiring compliance to Convention on the Rights of

Person with Disabilities, evidence-based practice while also taking cultural preferences into

consideration, life-course approach which develops services need to maintain mental health

through all life stages, multisectoral approach which partners with various sectors and

coordinates care, and empowerment of persons with mental disorders and psychosocial

disabilities which encourages those battling mental illness to be involved in their care.( World

Health Organization, 2013). By utilizing the embedded model, the University of Michigan is

meeting these guidelines by revamping how mental health resources are utilized and by

providing education to students about mental illness. Students that use the services at CAPS are

able to receive accommodations for their illness without receiving penalties that could impact

their academic careers.

Conclusion

The University of Michigans embedded model, is a great approach towards battling

mental health access on campuses. This model not only brings awareness to mental health issues,

but it most importantly let students know that the college is aware of the sometimes silent

battle some are facing. While reviewing the services provided through the model, it was apparent

that prevention was a major component of this model. By being reachable to students CAPS can

help students receive care before the disorders or illness progresses too far. This is a model that

many colleges and universities should be developing because it caters to the different dynamics

that embodies a campus, so no one is being left out.

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References

Gruttadaro, D., & Crudo, D. (2012). College students speak: A survey report on mental health.

Survey Report). Arlington, VA: National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Hummer, G., (2015). CAPS adds specialized staffers for university colleges. The Michigan

Daily. Retrieved April 15, 2016, from https://www.michigandaily.com/section/news/ross-

caps-counselor

Mental Health and Mental Disorders. (2016, April 14). Retrieved April 15, 2016, from

https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/mental-health-and-mental-

disorders/objectives

Townsend, Mary C. (2014). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing: concepts of care in

evidence-based practice (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.

U-M Counseling and Psychological Services. (n.d). Retrieved April 15, 2016, from

https://caps.umich.edu/article/counseling-options#individual

U-M Counseling and Psychological Services. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2016, from

https://caps.umich.edu/caps-embedded-model

World Health Organization. (2013). Comprehensive mental health action plan 20132020. 2013.

Geneva: World Health Organization.