Cherry Blossoms on »¨¼¾´«Ã½'s campus
JED Campus at OHIO

JED Campus at OHIO

»¨¼¾´«Ã½ has joined JED Campus, a nationwide initiative of 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.

JED Mission and OHIO Collaboration

As part of the JED Campus program, »¨¼¾´«Ã½ 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 , reaching over six million students across 44 states and Washington, D.C.

JED Strategic Plan

Our work with JED will include:

  • Forming a multidisciplinary subcommittee to guide the process.
  • Developing clear action steps aligned 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, »¨¼¾´«Ã½ 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 StepSubcommitteeProgress
Offer or enhance programming around life skills.Life SkillsIn Progress
Take inventory of life skill programming offered on campus.Program InventoryNot Started
Take inventory of the peer-to-peer connection opportunities and programs on campus.Program InventoryNot Started
Offer or enhance programming and/or services targeting academic skills.Life SkillsIn Progress
Offer or enhance comprehensive programming on wellness.Life SkillsIn Progress
Implement campaigns highlighting the connection between physical health, emotional well-being, and academic success.CampaignsIn Progress

Promoting Social Connectedness

Action StepSubcommitteeProgress
Develop peer mentoring programs.Connectedness and Peer SupportIn Progress
Offer or enhance programs, activities, and campaigns to promote belonging.Connectedness and Peer SupportIn Progress
Offer or enhance activities that promote connection to community.Connectedness and Peer SupportIn Progress
Develop proactive action steps to help identify disconnected/isolated students.Connectedness and Peer SupportIn Progress
Develop or enhance programs or activities to promote inclusion of disconnected/isolated students on campus.Connectedness and Peer SupportNot Started

Identifying Students at Risk

Action StepSubcommitteeProgress
Implement screening/wellness days focused on substance use and common mental health issues on a regular basis.Screening DaysNot Started
Develop, expand, or strengthen gatekeeper-training programs for relevant campus faculty and staff.Gatekeeper TrainingIn Progress
Train students to identify, reach out, and refer their friends/peers who may be struggling with mental health or substance misuse.Gatekeeper TrainingIn Progress
The school offers annual refresher training.Gatekeeper TrainingNot Started
Provide and publicize screening tools for depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.—In Progress

Increasing Help-Seeking Behavior

Action StepSubcommitteeProgress
Encourage help-seeking behaviors by reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and substance misuse challenges.CampaignsIn Progress
Develop or enhance peer support programs.Connectedness and Peer SupportIn Progress

Providing Mental Health and Substance Misuse Services

Action StepProgress
Develop MOUs with local providersIn Progress
Establish a system for coordination of care for shared patients between relevant campus service providersIn Progress
Evaluate the staff to student ratio to adequately address the clinical needs of studentsIn Progress
Ensure that all leave policies are transparent and easily accessible to the campus communityIn Progress
Develop/refine a policy on alcohol and other drugs that is consistent with JED Campus recommendationsIn Progress
Develop/refine a medical amnesty policy that is consistent with JED Campus recommendationsCompleted

Following Crisis Management Procedures

Action StepProgress
Develop/refine a family notification policy to be used in emergency situationsIn Progress

Restricting Access to Potentially Lethal Means

Action StepSubcommitteeProgress
Conduct an annual campus environmental scan to identify and mitigate access to lethal means.Environmental SafetyIn Progress
Implement means safety restrictionEnvironmental SafetyIn Progress
Implement drug collection/drug return programs for prescription medications on campusEnvironmental SafetyNot Started

Strategic Planning and Equitable Implementation

Action StepSubcommitteeProgress
Implement campuswide educational campaigns that promote a shared responsibility for students' emotional well-being.CampaignsIn 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

Woman sitting at a table handing out items to students who complete survey
Fall 2024 Assessment
  • 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
Hudson Health Center
Spring 2025 Campus Visit and Strategic Plan
  • 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
Group of people sitting in a conference room of a workshop
Summer 2025 Subcommittee formation and postvention work
  • June 9: Subcommittees begin meeting
  • June 23: Dr. Kurt Michael delivers CALM training & environmental safety workshop
Woman sitting on a bench at Emeriti Park on »¨¼¾´«Ã½'s Athens Campus
Fall 2025 — The Future
  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Crisis or Emergencies


    If in need of emergency care, call 911 or the »¨¼¾´«Ã½ Police Department at 740.593.1911. If experiencing a crisis, students may speak with a counselor 24/7/365 by calling 740.593.1616.   

  • 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.