Transitioning to college is a pivotal milestone for young adult students, and access to mental health support is crucial.

This is the first in a three-part series sponsored by Alkermes, Inc. exploring mental health support for adult college students and their communities.

Watch for parts 2 & 3 in the series coming later this semester!

The leap from home to college life is proving more challenging than ever as another academic year under the shadow of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues. According to a nationwide study by The Healthy Minds Network of nearly 33,000 college students, in the fall of 2020 more than 40% reported a lifetime diagnosis of a mental health condition. In that study, four in five students—83% of those screened—said their mental health status had hurt their academic performance in the past month.¹

And mental health conditions among students are on the rise, too, according to a 2021 survey by The Ohio State University. While rates for anxiety and depression both rose by about 4% compared to the prior year, burnout rates increased by 31%. Bernadette Meinyk, dean of the College of Nursing at Ohio State, said, “Two thirds of students who are no longer in college are not [there] due to a mental health issue.”²

With the increase among mental health challenges apparent, how can students consider if what they’re experiencing is expected behavior or indicative of a mental illness (for example, difficulty sleeping, excessive worrying or fear, extreme mood changes)?³ For more information, check out this NAMI resource.

If you, a friend or family member are concerned about your mental health or the behaviors you are exhibiting, there are actions that may be helpful:

• Take stock of what’s happening. If you are noticing differences in your behaviors, such as the signs listed above or one of the others shared by NAMI, take notice.³ This may help when seeking additional resources or support from a healthcare professional (a physician, psychiatrist, etc.) in the future. To assist in tracking what you’re feeling, consider taking advantage of resources available through your school, making an appointment with your healthcare provider, visiting a local community mental health agency, speaking with trusted peers or taking an online screening tool available from mental health advocacy organizations to better understand what you might be experiencing.^4,5

• Keep talking. Ask questions and set aside time to talk with trusted friends or loved ones about how you are feeling. Consider asking them if they’ve noticed any concerning changes in your behavior.⁵

• Speak to a healthcare professional. Set up an appointment and make sure you discuss mental health, the college transition and any behavioral changes you might notice.⁵

• Act as quickly as you can. In some studies, participants with early identification of their condition and intervention experienced disease management and improved outcomes.⁴ Early detection, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment can assist in illness management and long-term outcomes.⁶

The college experience can come with challenges, and those have been amplified by the pandemic and other cultural and political events.⁷ Knowing what to look out for and where to seek help if necessary are critical for mental health in college and beyond.

If you are concerned about behavioral changes in yourself or someone else, consider reaching out to a local healthcare professional or taking advantage of mental health resources—such as screening tools, treatment locator tools and educational resources—from organizations like Mental Health America (MHA), The Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

In the second piece of our 3-part series, we’ll discuss the importance of early intervention and support when a mental health diagnosis has been received.

This is intended as informational only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Alkermes does not endorse and is not affiliated with the organizations listed above.

References

¹ Eisenberg D, Ketchen Lipson S, Heinze J. Healthy Minds Study Fall 2020 National Data Report. https://healthymindsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HMS-Fall-2020-National-Data-Report.pdf. Published February 15, 2021. Accessed January 3, 2022.

² The Ohio State University. Survey: Anxiety, depression, burnout rising as college students prepare to return to campus. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/mediaroom/pressreleaselisting/survey-anxiety-depression-burnout-rising-among-college-students. Published July 26, 2021. Accessed January 3, 2022.

³ Warning Signs and Symptoms. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms. Accessed January 3, 2022.

⁴ Pedrelli P, Nyer M, Yeung A, Zulauf C, Wilens T. College Students: Mental Health Problems andTreatment Considerations. Acad Psychiatry. 2015;39(5):503–511. doi:10.1007/s40596-014-0205-9

⁵ National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/MentalHealth-Conditions/Depression/Support. Published August 2017. Accessed January 3, 2022.

⁶ Mental Illness Policy Org. Schizophrenia fact sheet. Mental Illness Policy Org. https://mentalillnesspolicy.org/medical/schizophrenia.html. Published January 23, 2019. Accessed January 3, 2022.

⁷ Boston University. Depression, anxiety, loneliness are peaking in college students. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210219190939.htm. Published February 19, 2021. Accessed January 3, 2022.

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Media Contact
Dede McKelvy
Finn Partners
(860) 806-4358
Dede.McKelvy@finnpartners.com

• Deloitte reveals five strategies to help students complete degrees and thrive after graduation — See the full report
• Interactive data tool shows how your university compares to other four-year institutions — Research a school

Jan. 25, 2022 — Deloitte’s Center for Higher Education recently analyzed more than 1,500 four-year colleges and universities in the United States to understand the strategies they use to help students succeed. The analysis found patterns of success across these institutions focusing on mental health, resiliency, data analytics, the transfer process, and better inclusion for first-generation students.

“While student success is a complex endeavor and no two institutions follow the exact same path, we wanted to understand which institutions are doing a good job across the student life cycle, from access and affordability through graduation and beyond,” said Betty Fleurimond, managing director, Deloitte Services LP and chair of Deloitte’s Center for Higher Education Excellence. “We found patterns showing that leading schools invest wisely in strategies that will deliver the best outcomes for their student body, particularly for underrepresented students, Pell Grant recipients, and first-generation students.”

The data — research that Deloitte has made available through an interactive benchmarking tool — reveals leading schools outperforming their peers or other four-year institutions across multiple parameters. The data includes, but is not limited to:

• Enrollment of underrepresented students, Pell Grant recipients, and first-generation students.
• In-state average tuition for full-time students and in-state per-credit-hour charge for part-time undergraduates.
• Six-year graduation rates for underrepresented students and Pell Grant recipients, and eight-year graduation rates for non-first-time, part-time students.
• Median earnings 10 years after entry, 10-year net present value, and three-year cohort default rate.

“When colleges were forced to lean into remote learning during the pandemic, many of them discovered the full functionality of their learning management systems,” Fleurimond explained. “This proved a valuable source of data for understanding engagement and other student success metrics.”

Through the pivot to virtual learning, students’ ongoing challenges with stress and mental health also became measurably apparent.

“Our research shows that 76% of students say they have trouble maintaining their well-being, as do 73% of staff,” said Allan Ludgate, managing director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and director of Deloitte’s Monitor Institute, which works with higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations to strengthen student pathways to success.

The pandemic and virtual school environment hit both low-income and first-generation college learners especially hard. Even before the pandemic, these students had a 21% chance of completing a bachelor’s degree in six years, compared to a 66% chance among other students, according to the research.

One-third of first-generation students drop out of college after three years, compared to just 14% of students whose parents earned a degree.

“There is no doubt that the last year has made it even more challenging for students to complete their degrees. But it’s also true that many institutions are now looking for more creative and innovative solutions that can help their students remain successfully enrolled,” Fleurimond said.

About Deloitte
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today’s marketplace — delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s more than 345,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Media contact
Candace Barron
cbarron@deloitte.com
(206) 965-5103

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society—is currently accepting applications for its 2022 awards program including Scholar, Artist and Distinguished Service Awards, Study Abroad Grants, Literacy Grants, Fellowships and Love of Learning Awards. These awards honor and provide funding for graduate study, continuing education, professional development, studies abroad and local, national and international literacy initiatives.

Since 1932, Phi Kappa Phi’s awards program has recognized members and students on its chapter campuses for outstanding academic achievement. Each year more than $1 million is awarded through programs that last year recognized more than 425 individuals.

Programs currently accepting applications include:

• Scholar and Artist: A life membership and a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit cause will be awarded to individuals who demonstrate the ideals of the Society through their lifelong activities, achievements and scholarship. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1.

• Distinguished Service: A life membership and a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit cause will be awarded to an individual who has provided sustained, non-compensated volunteer service to others beyond the realm of academia. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1.

• Study Abroad Grants: One hundred twenty-five grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to both members and non-members studying abroad. The deadline to apply is March 15.

• Literacy Grants: Grants of up to $2,500 are available to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members seeking funding for literacy initiatives. The deadline to apply is April 1.

• Fellowships: A total of 62 Fellowships are available each year – two at $35,000, six at $20,000 and fifty-four of $8,500 each to members entering the first year of graduate or professional study. The deadline to apply varies by each Phi Kappa Phi chapter. Contact your local chapter for deadline information.

• Love of Learning Awards: Two hundred awards at $500 each, are available to help fund post-baccalaureate studies and professional development for active members. The deadline to apply is June 30.

“The Society’s dedication to educational and personal growth throughout one’s lifetime is so unique; I feel that as I develop as an individual, there will be a different Phi Kappa Phi program or initiative to involve myself with,” said Alysa Blakeney, Love of Learning recipient.

For more information including eligibility requirements and application instructions for each program, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories  and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

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Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Communications Director
apapa@phikappaphi.org
(225) 923-7777

BATON ROUGE, LA — Bradley Newcomer, dean of the Honors College at James Madison University, has been named executive director and CEO of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, making him the 12^th individual to hold the position since 1900.

Newcomer will assume stewardship of the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society on Jan. 18. The appointment comes at an exciting time for the Society as it will be celebrating its 125^th anniversary this year.

“We are delighted to welcome Bradley Newcomer as the next Executive Director and CEO of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi,” said Society President Dan Sandweiss. “Bradley’s record of service to the Society, his deep knowledge of higher education trends, his commitment and experience in honors education and his outgoing, collaborative style all make him an ideal addition to Phi Kappa Phi’s leadership.”

Newcomer was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in 2012 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and most recently served as president of the JMU chapter. He will take over for Acting Executive Director Traci Navarre, who has been serving in that capacity since Mary Todd retired in May 2021 after nearly 9 years of service, while continuing her long-standing role as chief operating officer.

As executive director and CEO, Newcomer will work with the Society’s board of directors to develop a strategic plan for Phi Kappa Phi that supports its mission “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” He also will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Phi Kappa Phi national office and participate in field activities such as campus visits and chapter installations.

Newcomer, who was appointed following a six-month national search, said, “Since its founding almost 125 years ago, Phi Kappa Phi has created a tradition of recognizing academic excellence across all disciplines and service to others. It is my great honor to join the Society’s board and national office staff as executive director and CEO.  Together, we will work with all of our partners to uphold and expand upon the traditions that are the heart of Phi Kappa Phi.”

While at JMU, Newcomer directed the process of establishing the Honors College. He formulated and initiated a strategic plan, led the revision of curricula and creation of a portfolio-based Honors Capstone Project pathway, transformed operations to assist strategic investments and increased the total endowment funds of the College. Under his leadership, the College’s enrollment grew almost 60 percent and was recognized by the Fulbright Program as a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students for consecutive years.

Before joining JMU in 2015, Newcomer served for 18 years at UAB in a variety of positions.

Newcomer earned a bachelor of science in physics from Juniata College, a master of physics and Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Wright State University and a master of business administration from UAB.

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About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Communications Director
apapa@phikappaphi.org
(225) 923-7777