Date of Award

January 2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Ashley Hagaman

Abstract

College students disproportionately live with increased risk and burden of mental illness and suicide, but the majority of students do not access formal campus mental health services. One part of the solution to this worsening problem has been The Bandana Project (BP), a peer-led mental health awareness and suicide prevention program that has been implemented on over forty campuses. To date, the BP has primarily been an awareness and mental health crisis resource-sharing program, with no uniform educational component. The present thesis product is a series of three informational modules to be offered through the program, given that the member base has a vested interest in peer support, mental health promotion, and suicide prevention efforts. The evidence-based content for these modules was researched and informed by a multi-step process including a scoping review of evidenced-based education programs for suicide prevention, an iterative, user-centered design development phase including multiple end-user testing and feedback sessions, and input from input from academic and clinical mental health and suicide prevention experts. Each module includes a brief (<16 minute-long) video accompanied by a suite of supplemental materials to give practical information and tools to viewers. Together, the educational suite orients members to common peer support and suicide prevention goals, equips them with gatekeeper-style knowledge of what to do in mental health crisis situations, and provides suggestions for creating or furthering positive change in mental health promotion/suicide prevention on campuses. Further development, applications, and limitations of this thesis product on the campus setting - and beyond - are discussed. These BP Educational Modules will contribute to reducing the burden of suicide and mental illness on campuses and help make college communities more supportive of mental health.

Comments

This thesis is restricted to Yale network users only. This thesis is permanently embargoed from public release.

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