UCA’s Bears Building Bridges Program
To better equip both its staff and students to support and intervene with students in distress, the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in Conway, with support from the Blue & You Foundation for Healthier Arkansas, has introduced suicide-prevention programming for its students, faculty and staff.
To date, 1,013 UCA students have taken part in a suicide-prevention program. UCA also offers Mental Health First Aid training for its faculty and staff, and so far, 125 have completed the MHFA training.
“By equipping the UCA community to recognize and respond to mental health crises, this program creates a vital safety net that ensures Arkansas families never have to worry that their student is navigating their hardest moments alone,” said Mollie Henager, senior director of Foundation Relations for UCA.
As students integrate into college life, they build new social circles and a campus support network of trusted professors and mentors. When students feel anxious, overwhelmed or depressed, this new support network often is the first line of defense for addressing their mental health struggles. Completing Mental Health First Aid training enables faculty and staff to better support and help students in crisis.
School officials have seen awareness rise, stigmatization decline and personal confidence increase by addressing mental health challenges in the UCA student population.
“The world of higher education is always changing, including where, when and how we address mental health challenges among campus and community members,” said Dr. Evan Faidley of the UCA College of Education, who co-leads the Bears Building Bridges program. “The Blue & You Foundation has played a pivotal role in helping faculty, staff and students alike to recognize this reality and respond to the call for supporting each other at a human level.”
Dr. Odunola Oyeniyi, Dr. Faidley’s co-leader and College of Education colleague, agrees.
“This investment strengthens our ability to foster a campus environment that prioritizes early intervention, awareness and the overall well-being of our students,” Oyeniyi said.
