Caring Campus Communities in Batesville

A grant from the Blue & You Foundation, awarded jointly to both Lyon College and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, allows the two schools to expand their outreach to students who need mental health resources. The grant is designed to strengthen mental health access and address the growing loneliness epidemic on college campuses.

The two schools worked together in partnership to promote emotional wellness and create connected, caring campus communities.

“The grant provided 10 free sessions of family and marriage therapy for 30 different students or employees and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) testing for students,” said Victoria Hutcheson, LPC, ATR, director of Mental and Behavioral Health at Lyon College.

The grant also provided medication management and genetic testing. The DNA testing, collected by swabbing a student’s cheek, evaluates which mental health medications might work best for them.

“Between workshops, testing, therapy and medication appointments, we were able to provide resources to over 100 people between the two campuses,” Hutcheson said.

Lyon College’s program also includes Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) training, a nationally recognized, evidence-based suicide prevention program. During the 1-to-2-hour training session, participants learn to recognize suicide warning signs and techniques for questioning a person about their intent. It also teaches participants how to persuade a person in distress to seek help and to refer them to appropriate resources.

“Mental health is essential for young adults, particularly college students, because it directly impacts their ability to learn, build relationships and navigate the challenges of academic and personal life,” said Danell Hetrick, vice president for Student Life & dean of students at Lyon College.

When students maintain good mental health, they are better able to manage stress, stay focused and make thoughtful decisions, she added. Lyon College also has recently increased its therapy services for students. Most of the mental health services the students receive are through private appointments.

“Prioritizing mental well-being also helps prevent burnout, supports resilience during difficult times and promotes overall success both inside and outside the classroom,” Hetrick said. “I truly feel it has had a positive impact on our students and our campus as a whole.”