A new program at EMU will provide services, education, and programming for all EMU undergraduate students, and especially those who struggle with mental health challenges and substance misuse.
The program, Royals RISE (Resilience, Intervention, Support, Education), will be funded over the next three years by a $101,716 Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant. EMU’s grant is part of a total $2.2 million recently awarded to colleges and universities around the country by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal program assists colleges and universities to identify students at risk for suicide and suicide attempts, increase protective factors that promote mental health, reduce risk factors for suicide, and ultimately reduce suicide attempts and deaths.
EMU’s program will aim to improve its mental health and substance use disorder services to strengthen suicide prevention efforts on campus. It will focus on building stronger connections between campus and community stakeholders, expanding public education on student well-being throughout the academic year, and improving the campus community’s ability to respond to mental health crises. While serving all students, the program will prioritize supporting those with the most severe mental health challenges, which is the primary focus of this grant.
Goals of EMU’s program will include: Improving coordination of services, protocols, and educational programs related to mental health and substance abuse; Increasing the availability and effectiveness of crisis-response resources, especially related to suicidality; Raising awareness about the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse among EMU students; and expanding mental health services to better support students, especially those with the most severe mental health challenges.
Through the grant funding, EMU will develop deeper collaborative partnerships with local resources like Adagio House, Harrisonburg/Rockingham Community Services Board, Sentara Behavioral Health and the Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia — recognizing that no single agency can alone provide the network of support that our students and community members need.
“We are really excited about this grant and the impact that we believe it will have for our students at EMU” said Jonathan Swartz, dean of students at EMU. “The grant will allow us to put more intentionality and focus toward supporting holistic wellness at EMU, with a specific focus on mental health awareness, substance use, and suicidality. We are especially excited to be able to both increase our capacity to provide clinical counseling services at EMU and also provide education and awareness raising programming that all students can access and find useful.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes.
Great news! Mental health and substance use is such a relevant topic to address, especially among college age adults. I hope students utilize and benefit from these additional services.