In a significant effort to support mental health awareness and response on campus, CSUSB's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has sponsored a Mental Health First Aid certification for 30 staff and faculty who interact with students on a daily basis. This initiative is aimed at equipping staff and faculty with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to students experiencing mental health challenges. 

The idea for this initiative began with a pilot program that CAPS launched with the university's athletics department. "When I started this role in April of 2023, a pilot program of this training was already in the works to train our athletics department in Mental Health First Aid," said Jennifer Moulton, director of CAPS. "They were the first to get exposure to this training and be certified. It was well-received, and the coaches and athletics department staff really appreciated it. Since then, we have noticed a positive shift, with staff feeling more comfortable consulting with our liaison and more readily seeking guidance on how to support student-athletes in need."

Building on the success of the pilot program, CAPS decided to expand the training to include other staff and faculty members who interact daily with students. The fall 2024 group of trainees in this expanded effort includes representatives from departments such as Recreation and Wellness, housing and residential education, Upward Bound and the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. 

"As the counseling center, we frequently get requests from across campus for guidance or consultation on how to best respond to students with mental health concerns," said Moulton. "We want to empower our campus staff and faculty to be more comfortable and equipped when a student expresses vulnerability or shows signs of distress. This program allows them to recognize symptoms, offer support in the moment, and know when to refer a student to a higher level of care." 

The Mental Health First Aid certification is a training that covers how to identify the signs of mental health issues, respond to immediate concerns, and appropriately refer individuals for professional help when necessary. The training is led by a certified trainer, Sailesh Maharjan, a lecturer in the Department of Psychology. Participants in the program will receive their certification after completing the two-day training, which is designed to be accessible to those without prior knowledge of mental health.

CSUSB’s initiative aligns with a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in educational settings. Moulton emphasized that the training is not intended for staff to take on the role of mental health professionals, but it does empower them to provide appropriate assistance when needed.

Looking ahead, CAPS hopes to secure additional funding to expand the program and train more staff, faculty and facilitators of the program. "We believe that building a community of support starts with education and awareness," Moulton said. "Training more people across our campus is a crucial step toward creating a more responsive and compassionate environment for everyone."

For more information about the counseling center, visit CSUSB’s Counseling and Psychological Services website.