Browsing by Author "Parker, Marlena, 1976-"

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A case study : how a top-ranked public institution in Georgia addresses the demand for mental health services.
(2023-12) Parker, Marlena, 1976-; Ray, Brandi R.
The mental health needs of college students continue to increase, causing more students than ever to seek treatment for their mental health problems on college campuses. These common mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, result in the rising demand for mental health services and present numerous challenges for higher education institutions to address. To understand this problem, I designed and conducted this descriptive single case study focused on the various challenges higher education institutions face when addressing the demand for mental health services. The research questions were centered on the perceptions of clinicians regarding the effectiveness of the campus mental health services and the barriers encountered when addressing students’ mental health needs. The six participants worked in various clinical and administrative roles within campus mental health services at a top-ranked public university in Atlanta, Georgia. To conduct this study, I collected data through two different data collection methods to understand more about the research problem and highlight the university’s approach to providing mental health resources to support students’ mental health and well-being. Data collection consisted of a review of mental health-related documents and one focus group interview. I used thematic analysis to reveal the themes of addressed needs, improved access, resource shortages, and lack of awareness. The study findings reveal that a commitment to an innovative approach to expand resources is needed for higher education institutions to prioritize students’ mental health needs, eliminate barriers, and adequately prepare faculty and administrators to address the increasing demand for mental health services. The study has implications that are instrumental for higher education leaders, policymakers, and mental health practitioners to create sustainable resources and implement improvements to the design of mental health programs. These improvements can influence mental health services utilization and ensure students feel supported when faced with barriers that prevent them from seeking treatment.