{"id":24136,"date":"2023-02-23T12:17:34","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T18:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timelycareprod.wpengine.com\/?p=24136"},"modified":"2024-12-17T13:40:02","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T19:40:02","slug":"the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/","title":{"rendered":"The Impact of Representation in Mental Health Care for College Students"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#how-lack-of-representation-impacts-student-populations\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">How lack of representation impacts student populations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#barriers-to-care-and-support-resources-for-underrepresented-college-students\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Barriers to care and support resources for underrepresented college students<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#how-colleges-and-universities-can-support-diverse-student-populations\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">How colleges and universities can support diverse student populations<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#1-improve-mentoring-and-guidance\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">1. Improve mentoring and guidance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#2-set-clearer-more-complete-long-term-achievement-benchmarks-for-diversity\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">2. Set clearer, more complete long-term achievement benchmarks for diversity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#3-increase-diversity-among-faculty-and-staff\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">3. Increase diversity among faculty and staff<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#4-create-a-rigorous-yet-personalized-learning-environment\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">4. Create a rigorous yet personalized learning environment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#steps-to-support-the-mental-health-of-diverse-student-populations\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Steps to support the mental health of diverse student populations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-impact-of-representation-in-mental-health-care-for-college-students\/#how-diverse-student-populations-can-benefit-from-virtual-health-care-options\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">How diverse student populations can benefit from virtual health care options<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"24136\" class=\"elementor elementor-24136\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-60e59dd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"60e59dd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e71ee06 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"e71ee06\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9be7ffb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9be7ffb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Colleges and universities are more diverse than ever. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucda.com\/journal\/diversity-in-higher-education\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Forty-five percent of undergraduate students<\/a> identify as people of color. And yet, healthcare disparities continue to exist. When students can\u2019t find healthcare providers who resemble them, their beliefs, and their culture, <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/diversity-in-healthcare-providers-for-college-students\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">the lack of diversity can keep them from getting the care they need<\/a>.<\/p><p>Research shows that <a href=\"https:\/\/online.ucpress.edu\/collabra\/article\/7\/1\/23441\/117025\/The-Influence-of-Similarity-and-Mimicry-on\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">we trust people most like ourselves<\/a>. Therefore, a diverse network of healthcare providers can reach a broader student demographic. Simply put, students feel more comfortable interacting with healthcare providers who have a similar background or identity (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, and\/or geography).<\/p><h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-lack-of-representation-impacts-student-populations\"><\/span>How lack of representation impacts student populations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>Despite increasing rates of college admissions and enrollment among Black, Asian, Hispanic, and other ethnic groups, they\u2019re still less likely to graduate. Students of color experience low rates of retention and high dropout rates. They also have the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mghclaycenter.org\/parenting-concerns\/young-adults\/college-students-of-color\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">highest borrowing ratios and the most significant student debt burden<\/a>. And among those who graduate, they have lower salaries and higher unemployment rates than their white counterparts.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mghclaycenter.org\/parenting-concerns\/young-adults\/college-students-of-color\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds<\/a> reports that \u201cstudents of color are more likely to experience <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mghclaycenter.org\/parenting-concerns\/10-ways-to-emotionally-support-your-teen-in-responding-to-racism\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">racism<\/a>, discrimination, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mghclaycenter.org\/hot-topics\/muslim-children-addressing-prejudice-xenophobia\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Islamophobia<\/a>, cyberbullying, verbal and physical assaults, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mghclaycenter.org\/multimedia\/tackling-racism-internally-to-better-serve-our-communities-a-closer-look-at-mass-generals-10-point-plan-featuring-joseph-betancourt-md-mph\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">micro-aggressions<\/a> on campuses and within their college towns and communities\u2014all of which can damage their mental health. These experiences can also lead to alienation, isolation, substance use, suicidal ideation, and loneliness, further compounding the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidehighered.com\/news\/2020\/10\/23\/racism-fuels-poor-mental-health-outcomes-black-students\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">negative impact on mental health<\/a>.\u201d The Clay Center goes on to report that compared with white students, college students of color report <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mghclaycenter.org\/parenting-concerns\/teenagers\/why-are-teens-so-lonely-and-what-can-they-do-to-combat-loneliness\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">higher rates of loneliness<\/a> and emotional stress, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mghclaycenter.org\/parenting-concerns\/pre-school\/what-if-my-child-has-an-anxiety-disorder-2\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">anxiety<\/a>, depression, and hopelessness.<\/p><p>While mental illness is similar across all racial groups, a systematic review by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher, published in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1054139X18301915\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Journal of Adolescent Health, <\/a>found that students of color are less likely to be diagnosed and less likely to seek treatment. Barriers to treatment for young adults can be due to mental health stigma, lack of awareness of mental health services, and distrust of mental health professionals who lack cultural competence.<\/p><p>In contrast, the impact of mental health support for underrepresented students is overwhelmingly positive, according to Gallup and the Lumina Foundation\u2019s report \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.luminafoundation.org\/resource\/balancing-act-the-tradeoffs-and-challenges-facing-black-students-in-higher-education\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Balancing Act: The Tradeoffs and Challenges Facing Black Students in Higher Education<\/a>.\u201d The report noted that 37% of Black bachelor&#8217;s students surveyed said that support from a school counselor or mental health professional was very important in being able to remain enrolled in their program. This is in comparison to 28% of all other students surveyed.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/openprairie.sdstate.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1151&amp;context=jur\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Discrimination is a major cause<\/a> of mental health concerns in college as well. While already dealing with the challenges most college students experience\u2014transitioning to a more independent life, managing classes, social pressures, and more\u2014underrepresented students have to contend with biases from their peers, professors, and administrators. Also, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) college students are often victims of imposter syndrome, meaning they feel they aren\u2019t supposed to be a part of the college community. All of this can lead to various mental health problems.<\/p><h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"barriers-to-care-and-support-resources-for-underrepresented-college-students\"><\/span>Barriers to care and support resources for underrepresented college students<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>There are a variety of barriers that underrepresented students face while in school, ranging from family and cultural barriers to lack of income or school resources, including these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mswdegrees.org\/resources\/BIPOC-mental-health\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">common treatment barriers<\/a>:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Being a first-generation student:<\/strong> Students who are the first in their families to attend college are less likely to live on campus than students who aren\u2019t in this category. BIPOC learners are more likely to be first-generation than white students. This means mental health resources on campus are less accessible when students commute to campus and don\u2019t have extra time to seek campus resources.<\/li><li><strong>Lack of health insurance:<\/strong> BIPOC, immigrants, and English language learners <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/blog\/usc-brookings-schaeffer-on-health-policy\/2020\/02\/19\/there-are-clear-race-based-inequalities-in-health-insurance-and-health-outcomes\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">disproportionately lack health insurance<\/a>, particularly in states where Medicaid hasn\u2019t been expanded.<\/li><li><strong>Low-income backgrounds:<\/strong> Many underrepresented university students come from low-income backgrounds and often work while attending college, resulting in having to choose between work and medical or mental health visits.<\/li><li><strong>Professors and faculty who don\u2019t understand their needs<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Religious and cultural taboos<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Issues with mental health services providers<\/strong><ul><li><strong>Conscious and unconscious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nafsa.org\/ie-magazine\/2020\/8\/4\/strategies-countering-unconscious-bias-classroom\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">biases<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Minimal training in culturally-responsive treatment:<\/strong> There are only a few providers <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/timelymd-three-quarters-of-college-students-report-mental-health-boost-after-virtual-treatments\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">from underrepresented backgrounds<\/a> or who speak languages other than English. There are even fewer practitioners who identify as both BIPOC and LGBTQ+.<\/li><li><strong>White physicians are less likely to recognize the severity of mental health issues in BIPOC students<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>School mental health services:<\/strong> Non-white students are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/blog\/usc-brookings-schaeffer-on-health-policy\/2020\/02\/19\/there-are-clear-race-based-inequalities-in-health-insurance-and-health-outcomes\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">less likely to obtain mental health services<\/a> within their schools before college.<\/li><\/ul><p>Many organizations and colleges have developed programs to focus on college student mental health outcomes for students of color. These organizations include:<\/p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crisistextline.org\/steve-fund\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Crisis Text Line<\/a>:<\/strong> Nationwide crisis counselor support via text<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kognito.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Kognito<\/a>:<\/strong> Educating students and faculty about mental health and suicide prevention<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.7cups.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">7 Cups<\/a>:<\/strong> Direct emotional support to students<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ybmenproject.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Young Black (YB) Men<\/a>:<\/strong> Social media-based education for African American college students, a program to support young Black students<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nacc.stanford.edu\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Native American Cultural Center<\/a>:<\/strong> Supporting the Native American student community<\/li><\/ul><p>Mental health is one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sprc.org\/colleges-universities\/consequences\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">strongest predictors of students\u2019 persistence and retention<\/a>. So, initiatives like the ones above can help students prioritize their mental health and get the assistance they need\u2014ultimately helping them graduate prepared for work, improving their social and economic standing, and empowering them to contribute to society.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21350af elementor-cta--layout-image-right elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"21350af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"146.176\" height=\"149.08\" viewBox=\"0 0 146.176 149.08\"><g transform=\"translate(-5555.288 -2392.131)\"><g transform=\"translate(5573.009 2394.381)\"><line y1=\"12.497\" transform=\"translate(55.269)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line x1=\"4.597\" y1=\"12.631\" transform=\"translate(33.56 2.884)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line x1=\"8.411\" y1=\"10.024\" transform=\"translate(13.725 13.204)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line x1=\"11.903\" y1=\"6.872\" transform=\"translate(0 27.022)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line y1=\"5.882\" x2=\"10.188\" transform=\"translate(100.545 30.656)\" 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transform=\"translate(-5555.122 -2419.198)\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"4.5\"><\/path><circle cx=\"17.492\" cy=\"17.492\" r=\"17.492\" transform=\"translate(10.336)\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"4.5\"><\/circle><g transform=\"translate(96.357)\"><path d=\"M5656.774,2461.331l8.423,6.919a11.133,11.133,0,0,1,4.064,8.6v28.1\" transform=\"translate(-5623.942 -2423.422)\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"4.5\"><\/path><path d=\"M5658.325,2475.325l.045,5.931v17.263\" transform=\"translate(-5623.473 -2419.198)\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"4.5\"><\/path><circle cx=\"17.492\" cy=\"17.492\" r=\"17.492\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"4.5\"><\/circle><\/g><\/g><path d=\"M5620.952,2417.885c12.105,0,22.848,4.921,29.487,12.474h9.655c-7.442-12.054-22.191-20.286-39.143-20.286s-31.7,8.232-39.142,20.286h9.655C5598.105,2422.806,5608.847,2417.885,5620.952,2417.885Z\" transform=\"translate(7.326 4.737)\" fill=\"#f4bd51\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSupport students with a diverse provider network\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVirtual care scales your services and adds diversity to students' provider choices\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/contact\/?utm_source=website&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=contact_blog\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"follow noopener noreferrer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDeliver virtual care for students\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e874136 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e874136\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-colleges-and-universities-can-support-diverse-student-populations\"><\/span>How colleges and universities can support diverse student populations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\nProactive policies and procedures that support the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color and counteract negative forces that alienate and marginalize them can make a difference in students&#8217; lives. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucda.com\/journal\/diversity-in-higher-education\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Bradley University<\/a> shares four steps that colleges and universities can take to better support underrepresented students:\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a88723b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a88723b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-improve-mentoring-and-guidance\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">1. Improve mentoring and guidance<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbfcdaf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fbfcdaf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentoring can play a critical role in improving diversity. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/news\/2019\/10\/mentoring-could-improve-diversity-and-inclusion-in-stemm-but-needs-more-attention-in-colleges-and-universities-says-new-report-which-identifies-effective-mentoring-practices\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports<\/a> that \u201ceffective mentoring relationships have an overall positive effect on academic achievement, retention, and degree attainment, as well as on career success and satisfaction.\u201d Colleges and universities should reflect on biases and prejudices that can damage relationships between mentors and mentees and incorporate active listening and cultural responsiveness to optimize the impact of mentoring.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-343150a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"343150a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-set-clearer-more-complete-long-term-achievement-benchmarks-for-diversity\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">2. Set clearer, more complete long-term achievement benchmarks for diversity<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6263d5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6263d5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn its report \u201cRace and Ethnicity in Higher Education,\u201d the American Council on Education notes about <a href=\"https:\/\/1xfsu31b52d33idlp13twtos-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Race-and-Ethnicity-in-Higher-Education.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">45% of undergraduate students identify as people of color<\/a>, a gain of 30% over two decades. This statistic shows that college campuses are becoming more diverse and reflect today\u2019s multicultural society. Some colleges are adjusting to changes better than others. By setting long-term benchmarks for diversity, measured against national rates, universities and colleges can further improve diversity on their campuses.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e48f6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0e48f6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-increase-diversity-among-faculty-and-staff\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">3. Increase diversity among faculty and staff<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5370cea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5370cea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The statistic about diversity on college campuses noted above reveals leadership and faculty in higher education still fall short of reflecting students\u2019 diversity. By hiring more diverse faculty and staff, colleges and universities can help ensure their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inquirer.com\/opinion\/commentary\/college-universities-diversity-faculty-professors-staff-20190910.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">leadership better reflects their student populations<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db792e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db792e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-create-a-rigorous-yet-personalized-learning-environment\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">4. Create a rigorous yet personalized learning environment<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-020cd1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"020cd1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPersonalized learning provides an adaptive system that makes use of student data to give instructors an in-depth view of student progress. This information helps them understand and assess what a student knows, identify proficiency gaps, and create interventions to deal with stressors to get students back on track.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9270ca3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"9270ca3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-87d2906 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"87d2906\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5ebf59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e5ebf59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"steps-to-support-the-mental-health-of-diverse-student-populations\"><\/span>Steps to support the mental health of diverse student populations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>A recent article by Dr. Barrie Baker outlines <a href=\"https:\/\/wellfleetstudent.com\/student-well-being\/why-healthcare-disparities-continue-to-exist-among-the-college-student-population\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">three additional steps to specifically support mental health care<\/a> for college students.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Communication<\/strong><br>Students should be notified of and encouraged to engage with available wellness programs, including general care and wellness, behavioral health services, and financial wellness. Additionally, communication resources should be available in students\u2019 native languages.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collaboration<\/strong><br>Through regular engagement with diverse students, including international students, students of color, and students with disabilities, as well as the partners who serve them, plans can be developed to improve students\u2019 understanding and utilization of healthcare.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Advocacy<\/strong><br>Programs should be put in place for students and other community members to get assistance regarding questions or concerns, including financial assistance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-diverse-student-populations-can-benefit-from-virtual-health-care-options\"><\/span>How diverse student populations can benefit from virtual health care options<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Virtual health and well-being solutions, such as TimelyCare, can be part of your strategy to improve student health by eliminating barriers and ensuring equitable, on-demand access to care. Virtual care options remove barriers by empowering students to access care anytime, anywhere. And with TimelyCare, students can get support via phone, video, or chat.<\/p>\n<p>The TimelyCare virtual health and well-being platform includes a range of services, including mental health counseling, on-demand emotional support, medical care, psychiatry, health coaching, basic needs assistance, faculty and staff guidance, and digital self-care content. To help break down cultural stigmas, TimelyCare provides <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/journeys\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Self-Care Journeys<\/a>, a guided experience that students can access 24\/7 on topics like managing stress, maintaining healthy relationships, and healthy eating. And <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/journeys\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Peer Community<\/a> offers anonymous peer support within the TimelyCare platform, providing students a place to connect with other students across the country who face similar challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Now serving over 1.5 million college students, Inc. Magazine listed TimelyCare among the <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/timelymd-ranks-no-116-on-the-2022-inc-5000-list\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">10 fastest-growing health services companies<\/a> in the country. This growth has been propelled, in part, by a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. For example, over 50% of our mental health providers identify as BIPOC\u2014just one of many dimensions of our diverse provider network, which also includes providers who identify as LGBTQ+, speak multiple languages, and embrace and reflect students\u2019 backgrounds, identities, and experiences.<\/p>\n<p>And to better support students who may not be able to communicate with a provider in English, LanguageLine for TimelyCare allows a user to invite a clinically-trained interpreter into a virtual health session. By integrating LanguageLine, TimelyCare provides access to over 11,000 on-demand interpreters in over 240 languages.<\/p>\n<p>TimelyCare\u2019s complete virtual health and well-being solution serves as an extension of your on-campus health services, mental health support, and medical health care for college students. With 24\/7\/365 access to providers in all 50 states, TimelyCare can meet students where they are with the care they need.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/contact\/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=contact_blog\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"follow noopener noreferrer\">Contact TimelyCare<\/a> to learn how virtual mental health and medical care for colleges can make a difference in the lives of your students.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colleges and universities are more diverse than ever. Forty-five percent of undergraduate students identify as people of color. And yet, healthcare disparities continue to exist. When students can\u2019t find healthcare providers who resemble them, their beliefs, and their culture, the lack of diversity can keep them from getting the care they need. Research shows that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":24137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-higher-education"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - 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