IMPACT

To address this situation, UNCF established a partnership with The Steve Fund, the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.

Through the partnership, UNCF and The Steve Fund launched a newly established mental health initiative with customized strategies, content, programs, resources and events all designed to build knowledge and establish a community of action around mental health and emotional well-being of students, faculty and staff on HBCU and PBI campuses.

The partnership kicked off with a survey to announce the new initiative, which was distributed to HBCU students, faculty and staff to gauge the state of mental health on HBCU campuses. The organization received responses from 342 students and 419 faculty and staff representing 47 HBCUs. Among the findings:

• Students, faculty and staff all agree the top three mental health concerns for college students are: stress, anxiety and depression
• More than 65% of students shared that in a mental health crisis, they are most likely to speak to friends or family members
• While 83% of students believe their campuses are addressing mental health and well-being, 45% of students surveyed said they would not speak to anyone if they were in a mental health crisis
• An overwhelming majority of students, faculty and staff shared that they would like to keep informed on resources about mental health and well-being, yet 25% faculty/staff shared there is no training available about student mental health and wellness
• 72% of students are aware of their options for mental health counseling through their college/university, but only 52% feel comfortable visiting the university counseling center when a mental health issue arises

Nearly 70% of students expressed a desire to be informed about resources and events

regarding emotional well-being. Students reported that their campuses were addressing their mental health needs moderately well to extremely well. Most faculty and staff respondents welcomed increased support for and awareness of mental health resources for the entire campus community. Additionally, when asked whether they believed there were barriers preventing students from receiving adequate mental health care, faculty and staff were evenly split with 51% believing barriers do not exist.

“The Steve Fund is working to position UNCF students to achieve optimal mental health by equipping them with the skills, tools and knowledge they need to thrive as young adults, scholars and leaders,” says Dr. Annelle Primm, senior medical director at The Steve Fund. “Through our collaboration with UNCF, the Steve Fund expands its important partnership with higher education to foster the emotional well-being of students of color through productive dialogue, effective policies and successful promotion of access to potent, culturally salient resources. It is imperative that the Steve Fund supports HBCUs in their critical mission. Our partnership in the mental health initiative is a strategic investment which will enhance cultivation of student potential and success.”

The objectives of the new partnership are to:

• Reduce stigma and promote knowledge, dialogue, awareness and around the mental health needs of HBCU and PBI students
• Engage HBCU campus leaders and mobilize a commitment to prioritize mental health support systems and services on their campuses
• Provide curated mental health recommendations to help HBCU and PBI administrators support their students
• Support HBCU and PBI institutions in their vitally important mission by assisting them as they promote student potential and success
• Provide the necessary tools, resources and supports HBCU and PBI students need to remain or become mentally well so they can advance their personal goals to matriculate through college and become the future leaders of tomorrow

“As America continues to battle the pandemic, this devastating disease has revealed just how much work we must do to provide adequate support to students, faculty and staff on HBCU campuses. We already know that the students we serve, and their educators must respond to generational trauma, racism and disinvestment to thrive—each of these challenges takes a toll on student and faculty mental health. Our schools and institutions need support to develop new and sustainable ways to provide care, mentorship and compassion to its students, staff and community members,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “Through this partnership with the Steve Fund, we will begin to develop programs and resources that will help aid HBCUs and others in an effort to create an environment conducive to mental health and the emotional well-being of students.”