The grant, totalling $13,959, will fund Mental Health First Aid training for campus community members, including faculty and staff.
Fairmont State University has received a grant of nearly $14,000 from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education Initiative in order to advance mental health support for students via Mental Health First Aid training for faculty and staff members. The grant will also support the university’s social work and counseling staff attendance at the National Association of Social Workers West Virginia Chapter Spring Conference and the American College Health Association Conference.
According to an article on Fairmont State University’s website, Caitlin Jividen, a case worker for Fairmont State University, was quoted as saying, “By providing faculty and staff with Mental Health First Aid training, we aim to create a supportive and proactive campus environment where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health. Our goal is to reduce stigma, increase awareness of campus resources, and ensure students, faculty and staff receive the support they need during times of crisis.”
The training that staff and faculty will receive is designed to help them recognize students who may be in need of mental or behavioral health assistance. It will also provide them with tools and techniques to de-escalate situations, offer support, and help students find the professional assistance they need. The training program will be implemented on campus over the next three months.
The grant funding will also pay for social work and counseling staff to attend two conferences in the spring, something Jividen said will also be beneficial in this mission to help improve student mental health.
“These conferences provide valuable opportunities for professional growth, networking and sharing best practices. Connecting with other professionals and institutions will help us enhance our mental health services and initiatives,” she said.
For more information about Fairmont State University, visit the school’s website.