EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., April 1, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) announced the introduction of its new Student Assistance Program to help students adjust to life on a college campus and cope with common behavioral health concerns such as stress, depression, suicide, and alcohol and substance abuse. CBH is the only national, full- service vendor of student assistance programs in the country, and was selected by New Mexico Highlands University, located in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to cover the student populations at Highlands and Luna Community College. The contract, covering 5,000 students, takes effect April 1, 2004.
Depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and suicide are on the rise at college campuses. According to a recent UCLA study, more than 30 percent of college freshmen felt overwhelmed much of the time. The Student Assistance Program offered by CBH is a new, innovative product that offers several key benefits to university and college students and helps them better adjust to life on a college campus. The program can be customized for each campus and is designed to:
-- Help prevent and resolve behavioral health and related productivity problems caused by students’ personal concerns -- Support a drug-free campus -- Provide a full-service student benefit at a low cost -- Provide additional support to existing university counseling centers -- Focus on prevention and wellness strategies and education
“Today’s students are facing challenges that have not been addressed before on college campuses. Students are separated from family and friends who provided support for the student in the past. Now they must manage social, financial or academic issues on their own, creating added anxiety that can lead to a range of mental health issues, such as substance abuse and depression,” states Keith Dixon, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of CIGNA Behavioral Health. “Numerous reports across the healthcare industry clearly show that student populations need additional lifelines not only to succeed academically, but to cope mentally.”
Mental health is critical to the success of college students. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), 90 percent of all college students who take their own lives have a diagnosable mental illness. When this dynamic collides with another dark but ubiquitous side of college life -- excessive alcohol consumption -- the results can be lethal: over 50 percent of college students who commit suicide were intoxicated at the time(1). In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those aged 15-24, and the second leading cause of death in the college population as of 1998.
“It’s crucial that the mental well-being, not just the physical health of students becomes and remains a priority, from seniors down to first-year students,” adds Dr. Dixon. “A program such as CBH’s Student Assistance Program enables campuses to develop a mental well-being program that offers a high level of attention to behavioral health concerns and strong care protocols to help students deal with depression, alcohol abuse and other issues.”
“Students face a myriad of emotional challenges that can impact academic performance. Universities must continue to be vigilant about student anxiety, depression, substance abuse and stress and provide appropriate education and care for these issues,” said Judy Cordova, dean of students at New Mexico Highlands University. “Bringing CBH’s student assistance program on campus ensures that we can provide the highest level of service to help our students manage their emotional health.”
Ever-present threats to the mental well-being of college students include the following:
-- Depression: A recent national college health survey showed that 10 percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression, including 13 percent of college women. -- Anxiety Disorders: In 2000, nearly seven percent of college students reported experiencing anxiety disorders within the previous year. Women are five times as likely as men to suffer from anxiety disorders. -- Eating Disorders: As many as 10 million women and 1 million men suffer from them, with the highest rates occurring in college-age women. -- Frequent Mental Distress: According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7.8 percent of men and 12.3 percent of women ages 18-24 report having frequent mental stress, a key indicator for depression and other mental disorders. -- College students report feeling more overwhelmed and stressed than 15 years ago, according to a recent UCLA survey of college freshmen. Over 30 percent of college freshmen report feeling overwhelmed a great deal of the time, and about 38 percent of college women report feeling frequently overwhelmed(2). Confidential 24-Hour Access Key To Helping Today’s Students
Students get access to help for these issues -- and more -- via a toll- free telephone number. All calls are handled directly by licensed clinicians in complete confidentiality to encourage students to seek help. The students have 24-hour access to a care center staffed by behavioral care professionals. No matter when students call, they have direct access to trained behavioral care professionals.
These clinicians discuss the student’s personal concerns briefly, and make referrals to an appropriate resource. If clinical services are needed, the student is referred to appropriate nearby counselors. Non-clinical referrals include help for a wide array of topics based on the solution purchased for the campus.
Calls that indicate the need for crisis intervention are handled immediately by masters- or doctoral-level behavioral care professionals. Local resources are contacted or identified as appropriate.
Following Through By Following Up
Follow-up is an important component of the program. Every student seen by a Student Assistance Program counselor gets feedback. Two weeks after completion of the last session, if the student consents, the counselor makes contact and determines the appropriateness of the referral. The counselor asks the student if the services received so far are satisfactory and addresses any additional concerns or situations.
“A successful student assistance program includes comprehensive clinical and non-clinical options for the students. As a national carrier, CBH can provide these varied services and customize a program that fits the needs of any campus,” Dr. Dixon said.
Non-Clinical Services
Often students need non-clinical support to help relieve anxiety or stress. CBH’s Student Assistance Program also has non-clinical resources and referral services, such as legal and financial consultation, information, and referral for students. In addition, as appropriate, participation in self- help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, support groups, educational programs, and other alternatives are encouraged. Other issues assisted by the program’s non-clinical resource referrals can include crime victims help, gay/lesbian issues, AIDS support, single parenting, child abuse or women’s issues.
Highlands University was founded in 1893 as a school dedicated principally to training New Mexico’s schoolteachers. Today, Highlands serves students who are pursuing a broad spectrum of academic interests. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in ten departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the schools of Education, Business and Social Work. Major disciplines include: behavioral sciences, communication and fine arts, engineering, English and philosophy, history and political science, languages and literature, mathematics and computer sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, business, education and social work.
CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH), Inc., a subsidiary of CIGNA , provides behavioral care benefit management, EAPs, and work / life programs to more than 16 million consumers through health plans offered by large U.S. employers, national and regional HMOs, Taft-Hartley trusts and disability insurers. CBH, with headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minn., operates five care management centers around the U.S. in support of a national network of more than 47,000 independent psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers and more than 4,000 facilities and clinics. For more information, visit http://www.cignabehavioral.com/.
(1) Gleischer, A.G., “College Suicides Create Scare.” The Justice. The Student Weekly of Brandeis University 11 Nov. 2003: (2) The National Alliance for Mental Health. “Finding Hope and Help: College Student and Depression Pilot Initiative.” http://www.nmha.org/camh/college/index.aspx
CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc.
Contact: Gwyn Dilday of CIGNA, +1-818-500-6370, gwyn.dilday@cigna.com
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