Ohio University has joined JED Campus, a nationwide initiative of The Jed Foundation (JED) focused on enhancing mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention systems across colleges and universities. Through this four-year strategic collaboration, OHIO demonstrates its deep commitment to the emotional well-being and success of its students.
What is JED Campus?
JED Mission and OHIO Collaboration
As part of the JED Campus program, Ohio University will:
- Evaluate and strengthen existing mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention systems.
- Create a safer, more supportive campus through lasting, systemic change.
- Utilize JED's comprehensive framework, assessment tools, and expert guidance to build upon our current initiatives.
People are facing many challenges and pressures on their mental health, but they are also ready to have conversations about it in ways I've never seen before. It's the right time for this comprehensive look, discussion, and planning.
College of Health Sciences and Professions Dean John McCarthy
Currently, nearly 500 campuses are engaged in the JED Campus program , reaching over six million students across 44 states and Washington, D.C.
JED Strategic Plan
Our work with JED will include:
- Forming a multidisciplinary subcommitteeto guide the process.
- Developing clear action stepsaligned with the JED Framework.
- Using data and feedback to shape a long-term, student-centered strategic plan.
Key Focus Areas of the JED Framework
Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for Colleges and Universities
As part of our strategic planning with JED Campus, Ohio University will address seven key areas proven to support student mental health and reduce risk. These efforts will be guided by a commitment to equitable implementation, ensuring that support systems are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of all OHIO students.
The JED Framework focuses on:
Developing Life Skills
| Action Step | Subcommittee | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Offer or enhance programming around life skills.
|
Life Skills | In Progress |
|
Take inventory of life skill programming offered on campus.
|
Program Inventory | Not Started |
|
Take inventory of the peer-to-peer connection opportunities and programs on campus.
|
Program Inventory | Not Started |
|
Offer or enhance programming and/or services targeting academic skills.
|
Life Skills | In Progress |
|
Offer or enhance comprehensive programming on wellness.
|
Life Skills | In Progress |
|
Implement campaigns highlighting the connection between physical health, emotional well-being, and academic success.
|
Campaigns | In Progress |
Promoting Social Connectedness
| Action Step | Subcommittee | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Develop peer mentoring programs.
|
Connectedness and Peer Support | In Progress |
|
Offer or enhance programs, activities, and campaigns to promote belonging.
|
Connectedness and Peer Support | In Progress |
|
Offer or enhance activities that promote connection to community.
|
Connectedness and Peer Support | In Progress |
|
Develop proactive action steps to help identify disconnected/isolated students.
|
Connectedness and Peer Support | In Progress |
|
Develop or enhance programs or activities to promote inclusion of disconnected/isolated students on campus.
|
Connectedness and Peer Support | Not Started |
Identifying Students at Risk
| Action Step | Subcommittee | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Implement screening/wellness days focused on substance use and common mental health issues on a regular basis.
|
Screening Days | Not Started |
|
Develop, expand, or strengthen gatekeeper-training programs for relevant campus faculty and staff.
|
Gatekeeper Training | In Progress |
|
Train students to identify, reach out, and refer their friends/peers who may be struggling with mental health or substance misuse.
|
Gatekeeper Training | In Progress |
|
The school offers annual refresher training.
|
Gatekeeper Training | Not Started |
|
Provide and publicize screening tools for depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
|
— | In Progress |
Increasing Help-Seeking Behavior
| Action Step | Subcommittee | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Encourage help-seeking behaviors by reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and substance misuse challenges.
|
Campaigns | In Progress |
|
Develop or enhance peer support programs.
|
Connectedness and Peer Support | In Progress |
Providing Mental Health and Substance Misuse Services
| Action Step | Progress |
|---|---|
| Develop MOUs with local providers | In Progress |
| Establish a system for coordination of care for shared patients between relevant campus service providers | In Progress |
| Evaluate the staff to student ratio to adequately address the clinical needs of students | In Progress |
| Ensure that all leave policies are transparent and easily accessible to the campus community | In Progress |
| Develop/refine a policy on alcohol and other drugs that is consistent with JED Campus recommendations | In Progress |
| Develop/refine a medical amnesty policy that is consistent with JED Campus recommendations | Completed |
Following Crisis Management Procedures
| Action Step | Progress |
|---|---|
| Develop/refine a family notification policy to be used in emergency situations | In Progress |
Restricting Access to Potentially Lethal Means
| Action Step | Subcommittee | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Conduct an annual campus environmental scan to identify and mitigate access to lethal means.
|
Environmental Safety | In Progress |
|
Implement means safety restriction
|
Environmental Safety | In Progress |
|
Implement drug collection/drug return programs for prescription medications on campus
|
Environmental Safety | Not Started |
Strategic Planning and Equitable Implementation
| Action Step | Subcommittee | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Implement campuswide educational campaigns that promote a shared responsibility for students' emotional well-being.
|
Campaigns | In Progress |
|
Ensure your JED Campus team has representation from diverse stakeholders across campus.
|
Completed (On-going) | |
|
Ensure the campus community is aware of the JED Campus strategic plan and the work of the task force.
|
Not Started | |
|
Annually analyze data that is collected by demographic group to inform strategic plan.
|
Completed (On-going) | |
|
Share/utilize data analysis to inform current and future mental health and substance use initiatives.
|
In Progress |
These principles will shape a long-term, student-centered approach to well-being that is both intentional and inclusive — creating a stronger, healthier OHIO for all.
Project Timeline
- JED Campus Team established
- Sept. 20: First team meeting
- JED Campus Baseline Assessment Completed
- Oct. 23–Nov. 20: Healthy Minds Study launched and promoted across all campuses
- 2,845 students completed the survey
- Feb. 20–21: JED Campus visit with advisors Eddy Gonzalez & Kurt Michael
- Meetings with CPS, CARE team, and student focus group
- Campus tour and postvention discussions
- Feb. 21: Team reviewed JED Framework, campus data, and began strategic planning
- Apr. 21: Strategic plan reviewed; subcommittee planning initiated
- June 9: Subcommittees begin meeting
- June 23: Dr. Kurt Michael delivers CALM training & environmental safety workshop
- Years 2–3:Strategic plan implementation and ongoing support from JED
- Year 4:Post-assessment, Healthy Minds Study repeated, evaluation of progress, and sustainability planning
Mental Health Resources
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WellTrack Boost
WellTrack Boost is a free mental health app for OHIO students, offering self-guided tools to track moods, manage stress, and build healthy habits — anytime, on your own schedule.
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Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) offers mental health support for OHIO students, including same-day drop-ins, telehealth, crisis counseling (24/7), and in-person appointments at Hudson Health Center.
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Crisis or Emergencies
If in need of emergency care, call 911 or the Ohio University Police Department at 740.593.1911 . If experiencing a crisis, students may speak with a counselor 24/7/365 by calling 740.593.1616 .
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CPS Drop-In
Unsure of what you need or just want to talk to a counselor today? Same-day drop-in appointments are available for new or returning clients Monday through Friday between 9:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Students can drop-in at Hudson Health Center 3rd Floor or call 740.593.1616 .