“Our family is proud to support Ithaca College and President Collado in their efforts to protect the emotional health and well-being of Ithaca College students,” said Liz Hilton in a statement. “We are honored to donate The JED Campus program’s best in class, research-based approach to create a legacy of student support.”
A partnership with the Jed Foundation isn’t just a one-time connection. The foundation provides ongoing support and access to resources and programming. One of the first steps is a survey of student, faculty, and staff mental health, a comprehensive review of existing policies and procedures, and feedback based on those findings. The result is an organized, comprehensive program that goes beyond the counseling center.
“It has become, over time, kind of a stamp of approval for if a college is adequately addressing mental health, substance use issues and suicide prevention on campus,” said Brian Petersen, director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). “Joining JED campus signifies that you’re going to be working with the foundation around a specific set of goals to create a sustained and holistic environment of mental wellness.”
That’s something the college’s senior leadership team has made a priority. One tenet of the college’s strategic plan is to Integrate a wellness model to support a transformative student experience.
