All 5 Courses: Members $195 | Non-Members $275 (USD)
In 2023, ACUHO-I began the Future of the Profession initiative. Eight areas of focus were identified, including Strengthening Mental Health. Staff training and professional development are key in providing support to campus professionals that are on the front line in working with students and their mental health.
This course is divided into ‘micro’ courses or modules that allow the learner to pick and choose the topics most relevant to them at this point in their career. Each micro course includes an overview of the topic, timely resources for more information, an activity designed to put theory into practice, and a quiz to measure learning and comprehension. Additional videos are included from the course author or a professional in the field to illustrate real-world examples to enhance understanding.
Save more by purchasing the full course. If a learner completes all modules (either in the full course or each module separately), they will receive a recognition of completion of the full course.
Understanding Mental Health (Micro Course #1)
Members $45 | Non-Members $60 (USD)
In this course, you will be introduced to the definition of mental health, why it is important to understand mental health, and the role housing and residence life professionals can play in working with students on a continuum of mental health challenges. Included in the module are supplemental videos and a comprehensive research report.
Learning Outcomes:
- Define mental health
- Understand the continuum of mental health
- Recognize how a residential student may fall on the continuum of mental health
- Understand the most common mental health concerns for college students
Using Empathetic Communication as a Tool for Mental Health (Micro Course #2)
Members $45 | Non-Members $60 (USD)
In this course, you will be introduced to empathy as a way to understand and support others. Five strategies are given that help increase the skill of empathetic communication.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the difference between empathy, sympathy, and compassion
- Practice active listening skills
- Understand validation as a communication skill
- Learn how to make questions more open ended to encourage communication
- Recognize how to avoid judgement as a way to increase empathy
- Increase the skill of being present in communicating with others
Sustainable Support: The Role of Healthy Boundaries (Micro Course #3)
Members $45, Non-Members $60 (USD)
In this course, you will be introduced to setting healthy boundaries. This includes personal and professional relationships. There are several videos that illustrate this concept, and specific tips to help set healthy boundaries.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the definition of boundaries in relationships
- Recognize the difference between rigid boundaries, healthy boundaries and loose boundaries
- Incorporate specific actions to identify and improve boundaries that need to be set personally and professionally
Navigating Culture & Mental Health (Micro Course #4)
Members $45 | Non-Members $60 (USD)
In this course, you will be introduced to navigating culture and mental health. Topics include generational trauma, differences in expressing emotion and cultural hesitations in seeking help. There are also videos included to offer diverse perspectives on the complex relationship between culture and mental health, providing valuable insights for understanding student and staff populations.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how culture can impact expressions of distress
- Recognize how historical and generational trauma can manifest in residential communities
- Identify the difference between community verses individual coping skills
- Recognize how cultural background can explain a hesitancy in seeking help for mental health services
Recognizing and Supporting Students in Distress (Micro Course #5)
Members $45 | Non-Members $60 (USD)
In this course, you will be introduced to responding and supporting students in distress. Topics include understanding the warning signs of distress, how to respond appropriately to different levels of distress, knowing when to make a referral and navigating through common barriers to getting someone help.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand your role as a professional in supporting mental health
- Understand the continuum of everyday stress to crisis
- Recognize the physical, behavioral and emotional signs to know when an immediate response is needed
- Ask the appropriate questions to assess if the situation is a moment of distress or a crisis
- Use effective phrases to respond to a student in a variety of stressful situations
- Identify if you need to implement an emergency action plan for a student in crisis