Middlesex Community College has partnered with JED Campus Initiative to increase and strengthen student wellness services on campus. The nonprofit organization works with Middlesex to provide evidence-based practices and resources to help MCC improve their support and response to students’ mental health challenges.
“This partnership with JED Campus creates a more connected environment for students of all types to have a sense of safety and belonging on campus,” said Leonard Russ, MCC’s Dean of Students. “It will and should provide more understanding for the college on how we view our students. They are individuals who have a myriad of different needs that we’re here to support. We want to make sure we’re giving students the best version of MCC, as well as the resources they can use and tap into outside of the college.”
In 2023, MCC conducted the Healthy Minds Survey through Michigan University to get a better understanding of the student experience. In addition, MCC completed the JED Campus Baseline Self-assessment of services and supports on campus. Departments collegewide contributed to a list of over 250 questions related to the support of students’ mental health, including financial aid, facilities and more.
The organization then helped MCC develop a strategic plan focused on seven areas of support. This includes developing life skills, promoting social connectedness, identifying students at risk, increasing help-seeking behavior, providing mental health and substance abuse services, following crisis management procedures, and restricting access to potentially lethal means.
“[The partnership] will and should provide more understanding for the college on how we view our students. They are individuals who have a myriad of different needs that we’re here to support. We want to make sure we’re giving students the best version of MCC, as well as the resources they can use and tap into outside of the college.”
- Leonard Russ, MCC’s Dean of Students
With the data, Middlesex formed subcommittees to implement necessary changes to policies and expand services. JED’s comprehensive approach is part of a shared mission with MCC to support students and make sure “no one falls through the cracks,” according to Amy Mahoney, MCC’s Wellness Counselor.
“Our goal is to reduce stigma and talk about mental health, making it something we don’t shy away from,” Mahoney said. “Students will have access to trainings, so they feel empowered to help themselves and each other. Identifying ourselves as a JED Campus means we have gone through this process to make sure we’re doing everything to prioritize students’ mental health.”
Mahoney believes MCC will be better able to support the whole student so they can reach their academic goals. Through these efforts, MCC strives to assist students in staying at the college, graduating, and transferring to a four-year school or entering the workforce.
One of the survey results that stood out to the college was an issue of loneliness for students. In addition to providing online toolkits and trainings through JED, MCC will host more events and activities throughout the year. Students can better connect to classmates and the community, as well as learn social and life skills.
As a JED campus, MCC is also now part of a network of universities and colleges nationwide who share the same core principles of supporting students’ mental health, according to Russ. With this more well-rounded approach in all areas, Russ believes Middlesex is the “best version of ourselves to deal with challenges and be proactive.”
“We used the data to get the results we need to have more mental health support on both campuses, available to help students, faculty and staff,” Russ said. “The institution is taking a strong stance and has followed the appropriate steps to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support the community as a whole.”