JED Campus

JED Campus believes in a comprehensive, public health approach and provides a framework to enhance student well-being and to prevent substance use issues and suicide. Support for emotional well-being and prevention of suicide and serious substance misuse must be seen as a campus-wide responsibility. No longer can these issues fall solely, or primarily, on counseling centers. While counseling centers have an important role to play, it is the responsibility of everyone on campus to promote and protect the mental health of the student body. JED Campus promotes significant involvement from multiple campus departments and stakeholders, including from senior administration, student affairs, academic affairs, security, student groups, etc. JED Campus schools embark on a multi-year strategic collaboration that assesses efforts currently underway on campus in order to identify existing strengths and areas for improvement to create positive, lasting, and systemic change in the campus community. By becoming a member of JED Campus, a school demonstrates its commitment to the emotional well-being of its students.

The JED Campus Initiative

In the fall of 2019, JED Campus performed a baseline UConn campus assessment on current programs, systems, and challenges. The following spring, we administered a baseline Healthy Minds Study, an in-depth assessment of students’ attitudes, behaviors and awareness of mental health issues. JED Campus provided feedback and recommendations based on the responses of the assessment and the student data, and presented the recommendations to key stakeholders. Over the summer of 2020, JED Campus worked with UConn stakeholders to develop a three year strategic plan for implementation. Since then, the Committee has been focused on executing the strategic plan an with support and technical assistance from a dedicated JED Campus Advisor. In the spring of 2023, we will measure the change with a re-administration of the campus assessment and the Healthy Minds survey. Ongoing Access to resources with other schools in the JED Learning Community, including webinars, newsletters, an online resource center for students, and a discussion forum.

UConn Designated as a JED Campus Article

The University of Connecticut has achieved the distinction of being named a JED Campus. This designation, by the JED Foundation, recognizes educational institutions who demonstrate a systemic commitment to student mental health, substance misuse and suicide prevention.

The Foundation works with schools in the development of a strategic plan to implement policies, procedures and approaches that support students’ mental health and well-being. Schools are evaluated on their strengths in seven domains and seventy-nine action areas.

This accomplishment was achieved over a four-year period. Student Health and Wellness partnered with a diverse group of campus stakeholders to advance the strategic plan. The effort also benefited from a high level of commitment to student health and well-being across the administration and is reflected in the University’s recently unveiled strategic plan.

Numerous university stakeholders enthusiastically participated in helping UConn become a JED Campus. One thing that distinguished UConn from other JED campuses was the early sponsorship and commitment of the Undergraduate Student Government. It was a highly collaborative effort that included the highest levels of the administration, academic functions, operational functions, and students themselves. Mental health is increasingly an important consideration in college selection. A recent Inside Higher Ed survey reported that 29% of students note that mental health offerings mattered most with regards to health and wellness when making their college decision.

From a SHaW perspective, achieving the JED Campus designation is firmly in keeping with the aspiration to cultivate optimal health and lifelong well-being for every UConn student. It is supportive of several SHaW goals, notably shaping the campus culture to promote and support health and wellness, aligns with SHaW’s strategic plan and has served as an important foundation as UConn moves towards becoming a Health Promoting University.

The JED Campus effort underscores the importance of a university’s commitment to student mental health and well-being through a systemic, comprehensive, and holistic approach. One of the guiding principles is that there is no wrong door. Everyone – from administrators to faculty to clinicians to students - has a part to play in promoting mental health and well-being.