Mental health has become a prevalent concern in the realm of medicine, and now ASU nursing students are at the forefront of change.
ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation has been competitively selected as the National Institute of Mental Health Outreach Partner for Arizona in 2011. The partnership will last through 2013. It’s the first nursing college in the nation to be selected.
Through this program, NIMH supports 55 leading mental health organizations nationwide to reach out and educate the public while spreading the latest research on mental health disorders. There is only one NIMH Outreach Partner per state, and some spots remain vacant.
“By being an NIMH partner, we will receive hot-off-the-press findings from the best and latest research to disseminate into our communities,” said Bernadette Melnyk, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Through the partnership, Melnyk hopes ASU will be able to more effectively help Arizonans recognize signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and educate them on the help they can receive.
The number of individuals with mental health problems in Arizona is soaring, Melnyk said.
“Last year, approximately 4,000 ASU students reported that they considered attempting suicide,” she said. “Mental health problems interfere with both academic and work performance.”
Diana Morales, director of the NIMH Outreach Partnership Program, said NIMH chose ASU because of its vast networks for informing the public and students about NIMH research findings and mental health services.
The nursing college was also chosen based on its ability to conduct mental health education in the community, especially among the youth, Morales said.
“NIMH also hopes the ASU College of Nursing’s work will address the mental health need of vulnerable children and youth throughout Arizona, particularly in the Tempe area,” she said.
One in four children and teens has a mental health problem, and less than 25 percent receive treatment, Melnyk said.
Nursing senior Samantha Mendez is excited about her college being a partner and looks forward to ASU’s involvement with mental health in the future.
“I think mental health is crucial,” she said. “Many mental health problems start early, and it is important to target it ASAP.”
Mendez, who is passionate about mental health, said her education has taught her that mental disorders affect patients healing from physical disorders.
“A patient cannot reach full health if he is suffering from anxiety,” she said.
Mendez said she also learned that mental disorders affect over 80 percent of homeless individuals. Positive change could be made if health care professionals found better treatments for disorders, she said.
“One has to wonder, if we could find a cure or better and cheaper forms of treatment, maybe we could help more of these individuals find and keep jobs and have stability in their lives,” Mendez said.
Reach the reporter at ktenagli@asu.edu
