University of Memphis joins JED Campus to support student mental health

Dec. 7, 2020 — The University of Memphis has joined JED Campus in support of student well-being and mental health.  

The program is a nationwide initiative of The Jed Foundation (JED) https://www.jedfoundation.org/ designed to help schools evaluate and strengthen their mental health, substance misuse and suicide prevention programs and systems to ensure that schools have the strongest possible mental health safety nets. 

By joining JED Campus, the UofM demonstrates a commitment to the emotional well-being of its students. JED Campuses embark on a multi-year strategic collaboration that not only assesses and enhances the work that is already being done but also helps create positive, lasting and systemic change in the campus community. The program provides schools with a framework for supporting student mental health, as well as assessment tools, feedback reports, a strategic plan and ongoing support from the JED Campus team. 

"The UofM is very excited to partner with the JED Foundation to assess and support our students' emotional well-being," said Dr. Justin Lawhead, UofM dean of students and chief health and safety officer. "Implementing a campus-wide approach to mental health promotion will create a diverse intersection of touchpoints and assistance for our student community. We want to help students in need, meet them where they are and learn from them. The JED foundation partnership will significantly alleviate our efforts to accomplish that goal."

The UofM’s membership in JED Campus begins with establishing an interdisciplinary, campus-wide team to assess, support and implement program, policy and system improvements and completing a confidential, self-assessment survey on its mental health promotion, substance abuse and suicide prevention efforts.  

Upon completion of the assessment, JED Campus clinicians provide schools with a comprehensive feedback report identifying successes and opportunities for enhancements. Over the course of four years, the UofM will collaborate with JED to help implement enhancements. All self-assessment responses and feedback reports are confidential. 

“The college years are the age when many mental health issues first manifest, and it can be a time of significant stress and pressure,” said John MacPhee, executive director and CEO of JED. “JED Campus helps schools by working with them to survey everything their university is doing to support their students’ emotional health and find practical ways to augment these efforts in a comprehensive way. We believe that the implementation of a campus-wide approach to mental health will lead to safer, healthier communities, and likely greater student retention.” 

For more information about JED Campus, visit jedcampus.org.