February 29, 2024 3 min read
Roger Williams University Partners with Vector Solutions to Support Student Mental Well-Being
Industry:
Solution:
The Customer
Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island
The Challenge
Stress and anxiety among college students is on the rise nationwide and Roger Williams University, a 4,000-student university in Bristol, Rhode Island, was seeing the need for mental health support skyrocket on its campus. Its staff was struggling to keep up with demand. “It’s a challenge on many levels – from the student experience to the way it impacts the employees,” said Dr. Jen Stanley, the university’s Title IX coordinator and associate dean. Administrators wanted to find a solution that would provide extra support for students and give them more tools that help with resiliency.
The Choice
The university was already using several of Vector Solutions’ online student courses, so it was a natural next step to add a course to support student mental health. The university implemented Vector’s Mental Well-Being for Students course as part of the orientation for all first-year and transfer students. The goal is to:
- Provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge about mental health issues and how to support their own mental well-being, as well as where to go for help.
- Support the university’s mental health staff by providing an additional resource they can offer to students.
The Change
With the addition of Vector’s Mental Well-Being for Students course, the university is able to:
- Provide students with foundational strategies to support their mental well-being.
- Break down barriers and reduce the stigma around seeking help.
- Ensure students know where to find resources.
“There’s a lot of benefit in giving first year students extra attention around these topics so they start off on the right foot,” Stanley said. The university is also using Vector’s student courses around alcohol misuse prevention, inclusion and belonging, and sexual assault prevention, so the addition of the mental well-being course helps expand its toolbox of support. “All those topics overlap and it’s valuable for students to see that this is what their university values,” added Hannah Ilagan, student life compliance officer and Title IX & Title VI investigator for the university.
Stanley and Ilagan like that Vector’s courses are digital because it makes them more convenient for students to complete. From an administrator standpoint, they appreciate that Vector’s platform collects data the university can use to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs. They also appreciate the ongoing training Vector provides to course administrators.
The university is currently seeking a grant to expand its mental health offerings even further and hopes to eventually embed the mental health courses into certain classes as well.
“There’s a lot of benefit in giving first year students extra attention around these topics so they start off on the right foot. If we support students, they will be here for 4+ years and it will help change the culture and break down the barriers about seeking help. We want to give students tools to change those misperceptions. So, this course was a good addition.”
Dr. Jen Stanley
Title IX Coordinator and Associate Dean
About Vector Solutions
Vector Solutions provides expert-authored online training courses for higher education institutions to support their faculty, staff, and students. This includes a variety of safety and well-being topics for students.
Vector’s Mental Well-Being for Students course empowers students to navigate the stressors and emotional challenges associated with college life. Topics include:
- Well-Being
- Self-Management
- Recognizing Challenges
- Seeking and Offering Help
To learn more, request a demo today!
