The impact of a public health prevention model on college student mental health

Purpose This paper addresses the escalating mental health crisis among college students characterized by rising rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. It illustrates a multitiered public health prevention model designed to mitigate crisis indicators and overcome internal barriers to accessing care. This paper aims to describe the impact of this model on college student mental health within a campus community. Design/methodology/approach This paper details the implementation and evaluation of the prevention model at a small, private university situated in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. An action inquiry design was used to examine the model’s impact over a three-year period. The model incorporated three distinct tiers: primary prevention through campus-wide mental health literacy campaigns; secondary prevention via a student-staffed counseling clinic; and tertiary prevention by utilizing the Safety Planning Intervention. Findings Following the model’s implementation, outcome evaluations demonstrated a significant reduction in student mental health crises. Data revealed a 10.4% decrease in therapy sessions and a 68% reduction in off-campus psychiatric referrals over three years. These findings suggest the model’s potential impact on the complex mental health needs of college students. Originality/value This action inquiry provides a framework for other institutions and practitioners by demonstrating the efficacy of an integrated, public health-oriented approach to campus mental health.