Creating Safe Zones & Hope Zones
For any student, college is a time of transition. Many students are away from home for the first time, academics become more rigorous and there are new financial pressures and extra-curricular activities. The pressure of college life can be overwhelming at times. One factor that contributes to an increased risk for the development or triggering of pre-existing mental health issues and possible suicide is isolation.
As Gary Pavela (2006) details in his article Mental Health Intervention: Meeting the Needs of At-Risk Students, “We know isolation is a factor in ongoing depression and suicide. We cannot solve all problems by building communities on campus, but we must not foster isolation.” Pavela notes how college campuses sometimes inadvertently reinforce isolation in subtle ways, even in the new “fast food” approach of many dining halls. Today, many students do not join a group of their peers for meals, thus reinforcing possible social isolation.
A creative and effective way to promote mental health awareness and increase success is through the establishment of a Mental Health Awareness Safe Zone/Hope Zone. Similar in concept and design to GLBTQ Safe Zone programs, a widely visible and recognizable symbol is used to identify areas of mental health awareness and support. As a campus community or mental health awareness coalition, it is necessary that interested individuals come together to develop and discuss strategies to encourage help seeking behaviors in students experiencing mental health challenges.
Considerations for the development of a Mental Health Awareness Safe Zone/Hope Zone include the following:
- Creation of an image that identifies an area as a safe place for students to receive mental health information and support.
- Development of a mission and goals for Safe Zone/Hope Zone areas.
- Identification of target areas on campus to display Safe Zone/Hope Zone signs.
- Development and distribution of a resource list and educational materials for individuals wishing to display the Safe Zone/Hope Zone sign.
- Training of individuals participating in the Safe Zone/Hope Zone can include education on:
- What mental health concerns students may face,
- Diversity and culturally sensitive practices,
- How to speak with students about mental health concerns,
- Suicide warning signs,
- Available resources,
- How to make a referral, and confidentiality.
A Mental Health Awareness Safe Zone/Hope Zone program will provide several benefits to a campus:
- Increased campus visibility and support for students struggling with mental health issues or individuals at risk for suicide.
- Promotion of help seeking behaviors and increased knowledge of the benefits of receiving help.
- Increased success through the publicizing of available campus and community services and resources.
- Decreased isolation of students.