The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of culturally diverse individuals who have suffered from an eating disorder. Semi-structured interviews revealed four themes: influences; mental health community issues; barriers to treatment; and stereotypes. These themes represent weak areas within the education that is provided to youth…

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged university housing operations regardless of the type of operational function. Since the pandemic began, residence life staff, maintenance and custodial staff, assignment coordinators, administrative staff, and senior housing officers have all likely had to readjust and revamp their operational protocols in…

The multidimensional role of entry-level, live-in residence life and housing staff has grown even more complex in recent years. These staff members, often referred to as resident directors, are frequently asked to go beyond the role of RA supervisor, community builder, and policy enforcer. Now they also serve to support students with significant…

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an applied mental health course in a university setting in reducing distress and symptoms of depression and increasing levels of psychological flexibility. As university psychological services are unable to meet the need of their students, other methods of treatment must be explored. Participants in…

In 2019, I published my dissertation research focusing on the extent Title IX agents in colleges and universities experienced vicarious trauma because these professionals work with individuals who may have experienced trauma. People in the helping professions understand the cost to caring, and professionals who hear clients' (or students') stories…

Using a Family Stress Model framework, we used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the impact of the pandemic on Latinx pregnant and parenting adolescents and their families. Participants were 406 adolescents (ages 14-19) in the southwestern U.S. who participated in a school-based relationship education program for pregnant and…

A growing amount of research examines the personal and financial burden of students in healthcare programs who graduate with large amounts of student loan debt. However, a paucity of literature addresses occupational therapists' student loan debt burden. This study was conducted to describe the context of occupational therapists who have…

The modern college instructor in the United States faces several unique dilemmas due to students' increased access to information via the internet and social media, increased polarization across the nation, and increased unrest resulting in more experiences impacting mental health. As such, modern instructors are faced with the challenge of…

Objective: To identify stressors affecting international students' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Twenty-two international students from 10 countries and 17 US institutions participated. Methods: Participants were recruited from a larger study examining the wellbeing of young adults during the pandemic. Results: Four…

Empathy for mental health professionals is often inferred from dispositional assessments that misrepresent the temporal, contextual, and multidimensional nature of empathy. This article presents the State-Interpersonal Reactivity Index, a multidimensional assessment of in-session empathy for mental health professionals. Results suggest good…

This investigatory study sought to explore the range and variation of well-being initiatives on a select cross-section of college campuses across the United States and in Canada. This whitepaper seeks to highlight innovative practices that may inspire institutions to consider new ways of promoting well-being for both students and employees. In…

Mental health conditions can impact college students' academic achievements and experiences. As such, students may choose to disclose mental illnesses on medical school applications. Yet, no recent studies have investigated to what extent disclosure of a mental health condition may impact whether an applicant is accepted to medical school. We…

Background: Mobile crisis (MC) services is a pediatric behavioral health service that diverts those who need a lower level of care away from the Emergency Department (ED), enabling EDs to focus on providing acute behavioral health services. However, despite MC's efficacy, utilization could be enhanced. Implementation science provides an…

Connectedness to nature influences the well-being and health of individuals, communities, and the planet. Although many validated scales exist, none includes the three fundamental aspects of any attitude: the affective, behavioural, and cognitive components. The study's main objective was to develop and validate an integral tool, the ABC e…

Despite the widespread concern regarding young people's wellbeing, the interaction between gender and mental health appears to be generally overlooked within education and is more commonly focused on concern about rising figures of female mental health. The absence of discussions around gender is surprising, given the ongoing debate regarding the…