DCC will assess and enhance mental health, substance misuse and suicide prevention efforts in partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED)
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — MAR. 1, 2023 — Dutchess Community College is proud to announce that it has joined JED Campus in support of student well-being and mental health. The program is a nationwide initiative of The Jed Foundation (JED) designed to help schools evaluate and strengthen their mental health, substance misuse and suicide prevention programs and systems to ensure that schools have the strongest possible mental health safety nets. There are currently over 400 campuses engaged in the JED Campus program.
By joining JED Campus, DCC demonstrates a commitment to the emotional well-being of its students. JED Campuses embark on a multi-year strategic collaboration that not only assesses and enhances the work that is already being done but also helps create positive, lasting, systemic change in the campus community. The program provides schools with a framework for supporting student mental health, as well as assessment tools, feedback reports, a strategic plan and ongoing support from the JED Higher Education team.
DCC President Dr. Peter Grant Jordan, states, “At DCC, we recognize the importance of strengthening mental health supports of our students. Our partnership with The Jed Foundation will provide much needed evidence-based guidance to help us develop best practices that foster greater wellbeing within the DCC community. We look forward to the insights on how to create a culture in which everyone experiences a considerable sense of safety and belonging.”
“The college years are the age when many mental health issues first manifest, and it can be a time of significant stress and pressure,” said John MacPhee, Chief Executive Officer of JED. “JED Campus helps schools by working with them to survey everything their college or university is doing to support their students’ emotional health and find practical ways to augment these efforts in a comprehensive way. We believe that the implementation of a campus-wide approach to mental health will lead to safer, healthier communities and likely greater student retention and learning outcomes.”
In October 2022, DCC established an interdisciplinary, campus-wide team to assess, support and implement program, policy and system improvements that facilitate wellbeing. In December, our JED Campus team completed a confidential self-assessment on which JED subject matter experts provided the College with a comprehensive feedback report identifying strengthens and opportunities for enhancements. On Feb. 21 to 24, JED Campus Senior Campus Advisors conducted a strategy, exploration and implementation workshop that will lead to a strategic wellbeing plan for the College.
DCC will be creating a landing page for JED on the new website for others to explore, learn more about and have access to the feedback reports and strategic mental health plan.
For more information about JED Campus, visit https://jedfoundation.org/our-work/higher-ed/
About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
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