Vassar Launches Mental Health First Aid Training
Today’s college students are experiencing an increasing amount of stress, often spurred by their use of social media, that can lead to anxiety, depression, substance abuse and, in rare cases, thoughts of suicide. That’s why Vassar and six other colleges in New York State were selected by the New York State Conference of Local Mental Health Directors and the New York State Office of Mental Health to conduct a pilot program designed to help students with their mental/emotional wellness.
On March 19, the College took the first steps in this process by hosting a Mental Health First Aid workshop created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Eight student-facing administrators took part in the workshop. “We are seeing students with increased stress and mental health struggles and it’s not just a Vassar phenomenon,” said Nicole Adamo, Health Educator/Program Coordinator for Vassar College Health Promotion and Education, who co-facilitated the workshop with Kaitlin Leach, Deputy Director of Athletics and Director of Student-Athlete Welfare.
Photo by Angelina Ruiz
Participants in the training session were: Meredith Mesaris, Head Women’s Basketball Coach; Morgan McCrea, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach; Rose Hartman, Office Specialist in the offices of Support Advocacy, and Violence Prevention (SAVP), CARE, and Health Promotion and Education; Allison Jasso, Program Coordinator/Survivor Advocate in the SAVP office; Jonathan Hood, Head Men’s Soccer Coach; Keith Simons, Head Women’s Soccer Coach; Alice Read, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, and Michael Callahan, Senior Assistant Director for Sports and Recreation Services.
Photo by Angelina Ruiz
In breakout sessions during the six-hour training, participants learned how to recognize some of the early warning signs of mental health challenges students may be facing. These can include being late or absent from classes or other appointments, disheveled clothing, and signs of fatigue from a lack of proper sleep. “A lot of us are seeing the results of students looking at too many screens, and the level of stress that causes,” Jasso said.
During the workshop, participants were trained on how to approach students in need and offer support. “We can’t require anyone to use our resources,” Leach said, “but we can discuss their options for professional help and explore what might be most effective for them. Our goal should be to provide hope through facts. We can talk with them about how they’re managing their time and help identify key sources of stress. In recent years, I have observed a significant rise in student stress levels, and it is essential to remind them that perfection is not required in all they do. We have exceptional resources in place to support them through any challenges they may be experiencing.”
As the workshop drew to a close, Adamo said finding ways to help students cope with stress was an ongoing process. “All of us have to figure out how to mitigate the struggles we are seeing by teaching coping skills that will keep the baseline level of stress lower so it doesn’t elevate to a crisis,” she said. “It’s about giving them the tools to do their day-to-day work.”
Photo courtesy of Nicole Adamo
Those who participated in the workshop said they were better prepared to recognize signs of stress on the students they work with and were better equipped to know how to offer help. “Mental health first aid training is one of the most important trainings employees of the college can be doing right now,” said Read. “The increased number of mental health concerns we have seen in the past five years makes training like this key. The instructors did a great job guiding us through sample situations and added elements that were Vassar specific which made it easier to understand all the resources available on-campus and within the local community.”
Hartman said the training had demonstrated the importance of early intervention. “The training confirmed my existing instincts to help students and other individuals to get the assistance that they need,” she said. “Some of the skills I will apply will include effective listening, providing encouragement and reassurance, providing information about resources that are available, and discussing the importance of self-care.”
McCrea said the training had provided her with more clarity about the first steps in providing help. “Something that resonated with me is that sometimes the biggest factor in helping someone with their stress/mental health struggles is to just have a genuine conversation,” she said. “An honest, caring conversation and truly listening and wanting to know how someone is goes a long way. So something I will focus on moving forward is being more genuine when asking others, ‘How are you?’ and truly engaging with whatever their response is.”
Mesaris agreed. “The Mental Health First Aid training was an incredibly valuable experience,” she said. “It not only deepened my understanding of mental health struggles but also empowered me with practical tools to support others. It highlighted the importance of being aware, compassionate, and proactive in our responses. Learning how to step in when someone is struggling can make a real difference, and this training provided clear steps on how to help with empathy and care.”
Anyone interested in scheduling a MHFA training may reach out to [email protected].