Is There a Role for School Psychologists on College Campuses

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Is There a Role for School Psychologists on College Campuses"

Magdalene Poole
8 years ago
Views:

1 Is There a Role for School Psychologists on College Campuses JUDITH KAUFMAN, PH.D., ABPP FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY Where are they now? In a recent survey, less than 12% of colleges and universities report having a school psychologist on campus. If present, they are affiliated with regional centers for students with learning disabilities, ADA offices and for other special populations. (There has been a major increase in the diagnosis of LD and ADHD) There has been an increased demand for the (new) assessment of LD and ADHD for students seeking accommodations. College counseling centers, where services are in great demand, are staffed by clinical and counseling psychologists, social workers and drug and alcohol counselors. Many college counselors report that their primary training focused on adult populations. 1

If present, they are affiliated with regional centers for students with learning disabilities, ADA offices and for other special populations.

2 Who are our college students? More than 70% of high school graduates attend some form of higher education. According to the National College Health Assessment Survey (2011) indicated that 21.6% reported having been treated for mental health problems and/or additions in the previous 12 months. The American College Freshman Survey reports a record level of stress in entering students. Many report that the stress began in the senior year of high school. Women report less positive mental health and more frequently seek services. Many come to college using psychiatric medication About 10% of students have reported seriously considering suicide. The suicide rate has increased and is the second leading cause of death among college students (6.18 deaths per 100,000) after vehicle accidents. Who are our college students? Over 45% of students reported feeling so depressed, they cannot function. Over 30% of college freshman report feeling overwhelmed most of the time. The 10 mental health conditions that plague college students include: clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, disordered eating, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, self-injury, OCD, PTSD and phobias. Many students report themselves to be socially disconnected. Students report having to wait 2-3 weeks for appointments at counseling centers. 2

Many report that the stress began in the senior year of high school. Women report less positive mental health and more frequently seek services.

3 What is emerging adulthood? The assumption that high school graduation signaled the entry into adulthood no longer holds. Yesterday s thirties are today s twenties are yesterday s twenties today s tens (with their own power to consent?) Entry into adulthood is later and later, with traditional markers (independence, marriage, family, completion of education) postponed. Identity exploration, life style change, relationship issues, along with the ability to make independent decisions create a challenging and sometimes, exceptionally unstable period. Emerging Adulthood Emerging adulthood can be a critical turning point in life span development, re-centering and optimizing adult development. Opportunities for prevention and intervention and endless opportunities if appropriately negotiated. Challenges of integrating ethnic, cultural and life style identity. Incorporating values of social justice and social responsibility in new communities. Issues more comparable to high school students than to adulthood. 3

) Entry into adulthood is later and later, with traditional markers (independence, marriage, family, completion of education) postponed.

4 What can school psychologists contribute to college campuses? The breath of training (personality and social development, learning and cognition, assessment and intervention) brings a broad range of skills to the environment. The comprehensive knowledge of the impact of schooling and contextual variables provides insight into the meaning of college and its stressors. Experience in working with individuals with learning and emotional challenges. Knowledge of ADA and the challenges of inclusion. What can school psychologists bring? Evidenced-based interventions for the enhancement of social skills, anger management, stress and coping, along with many others. Assessment skills when necessary. AND SO MUCH MORE? 4

The comprehensive knowledge of the impact of schooling and contextual variables provides insight into the meaning of college and its stressors.

5 How do we get there? Make school psychology training programs visible on campuses. Faculty to become involved with Office of Disabilities and or ADA committees. Provide assessment/consultation when appropriate. Provide support and consultation to special campus programs and committees (learning disabilities center, programs for college students with ASD, mental health committees). Use the campus for practicum training, working with college students with special needs, individuals needing academic support and providing supervised services in college counseling centers. Integrating into internship experiences work with college age populations. How do we get there? Providing transition programs for high school students to minimize and/or provide strategies for better college adjustment. Become involved in Freshman Year experience programs to facilitate adjustment to college TALK TO PEOPLE, LET OTHERS KNOW ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO! College settings give us another opportunity to positively change the trajectory of an individual s life 5

Provide support and consultation to special campus programs and committees (learning disabilities center, programs for college students with ASD, mental health committees).

SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE GUIDELINES

1 SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE GUIDELINES The School Mental Health Response Staff may consist of a variety of members of the school s SBSLT (School Based Support Learning Team), including but not limited