Contributing to a campus culture of well-being and helping create open places to talk about mental health, Skye Arthur-Banning, professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM), and Margaret Domka, PhD candidate in PRTM, trained more than 150 members of the Clemson University community as mental health first aid responders at the beginning of August.
Mental Health First Aid, an evidence-based, early-intervention course from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, equips participants with the knowledge and tools to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of someone experiencing a potential mental health challenge. The training gives the skills needed to provide initial help and support to someone struggling or in crisis and how to refer to appropriate resources and professionals.
“This blended training is designed as a first aid course for mental health to help provide people on campus with the tools they need to be successful,” said Arthur-Banning. The course consists of two hours of an online, self-paced training and five and a half hours of in-person, instructor-led training. Arthur-Banning reiterated, “We make it really clear that much like a first aid CPR course, the knowledge and skills learned are transferable – participants can use these tools to not only help students but also help colleagues, spouses, partners, friends, faith-based organizations and others who may be struggling. The training gives people the tools and knowledge at a very foundational level so we can impact all on campus in a positive way.”
When Arthur-Banning and Domka advertised this year’s training, they anticipated 50 faculty/staff to sign up. To their great surprise, over 150 people signed up for the course. Wanting to provide an opportunity for everyone who was interested, they added additional training days — supported financially by the Clemson University Vending Machine Committee.
“It’s been really interesting to understand how great of a need there is, but also how much more open we are to talking about mental health and wanting to have solutions for how we support the students and each other, the faculty and staff across campus,” said Domka. “It’s great to see so many people with positive attitudes towards wanting to learn more and wanting to be supportive.”
Faculty and staff were eager to learn and were engaged in the course.
“Taking this Mental Health First Aid course was incredibly enlightening,” said Ben Blodgett, associate director for Campus Recreation. “The content was informative and presented in a way that was easy to digest, providing practical tools I can immediately apply in my current setting. The instructors were knowledgeable, making what could have been an intimidating topic much more approachable. I now feel equipped and prepared to support students or colleagues experiencing mental health challenges, ready to handle these situations effectively if they arise.”
Arthur-Banning and Domka’s research focuses primarily center around mental health and sport, both having accomplished interesting and meaningful work in the sports environment over the years. Together they founded the US Center for Mental Health and Sport, a non-profit that provides training, resources and support to many sports organizations across the country. They first brought Mental Health First Aid to Clemson’s campus last year after leading the course all over the country for veterans years prior. “We know there’s a mental health crisis in the United States, and Clemson is certainly not immune,” said Arthur-Banning.
More than one in five adults in the United States live with a mental illness (CDC). Looking at college students specifically, mental health is the No.1 impact to student success. According to Clemson-specific data from National College Health Assessment, administered by the American College Health Association and Clemson University Student Health Services, 38% of Clemson students reported stress was an impediment to their academic performance, and 28% of Clemson students said anxiety impeded their academic performance (NCHA 2022). The numbers for stress and anxiety are by far higher than any other health outcome students reported as impacting their academic success.
Mental Health First Aid contributes to Clemson’s commitment to assuring well-being and a sense of belonging for all, as seen in Clemson Elevate’s strategic priority of Every Student Thrives. The basic outcome of the training is helping create more caring, supportive, nonjudgemental and open places to talk about mental health. “We all talk about the Clemson Family. For me this is another component of that. We care about each other, and we spend a lot of time together,” added Arthur-Banning.
Arthur-Banning and Domka are working on getting stickers made for employees who completed the training to display outside their office space so others know they’re a supportive place to talk about mental health. These employees also received their Mental Health First Aid certification, a nationally recognized certification valid for three years.
To learn more about mental health resources at Clemson University, students can visit the Healthy Campus website, and employees can visit the Employee Assistance Program website.