Spring 2019 Professional Development Day

We know that students who do not have their basic needs met have trouble focusing on higher education needs, and inevitably face challenges in the classroom. We also know that when students' basic needs are not met, this can cause tremendous stress, pressure, and higher complexity issues related to mental health that become more urgent and important. Therefore, it is imperative that faculty and staff (who are often the first responders for students facing mental health and basic needs concerns) are trained in mental health sensitivities, including a focus on understanding and preventing suicide, AND also have a basic understanding of a range of topics related to basic needs as inextricable from the holistic approach of healthy functioning of the whole person. The I CAN HELP training offers tools for multiple, realistic interactions with students over time, rather than "refer and be done". This better prepares staff/faculty members with knowledge of vital health and wellbeing resources available to students and helps all campus stakeholders learn skills to better handle both the one-time and repeated situations across the domains of mental health (including suicide prevention) and basic needs.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Gain knowledge on data and trends surrounding basic needs and housing and food insecurity in higher education;
• Develop skills based on operationalized compassion and basic reflecting skills;
• Identify key areas for early recognition of students facing either food/housing insecurity and/or mental health stressors and how to intervene; and
• Enhance practices that reduce suicide risk and support student success.