Implementation of a Mental Health Task Force in a Collegiate-Based Emergency Medical Services Organization

Objective: A Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) was implemented in 2016 by a collegiate-based emergency medical services (CBEMS) organization to (1) improve mental health emergency response and to (2) address concerns for the mental health of CBEMS providers. Participants: Skidmore College EMS is a Bas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of American college health 2020-07, Vol.68 (5), p.460-464
Main Authors: Friedman, Nicholas M. G, Dingler, Brittany J, Gorstein, Lauren N, Epstein, Jesse A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
College faculty
College students
Community mental health services
Coordination
Debriefing
Emergency Medical Services - organization & administration
Emergency Medical Technicians
Emergency services
Health Services
Health status
Humans
Implementation
Life sustaining treatment
Medical personnel
Medicine
Mental Health
Mental health care
Mental health services
Mental Health Services - organization & administration
Mindfulness
Program Development
Program Implementation
Self care
Social support
Social Support Groups
Student Health Services - organization & administration
Students
Task forces
Undergraduate Students
Universities
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Summary:Objective: A Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) was implemented in 2016 by a collegiate-based emergency medical services (CBEMS) organization to (1) improve mental health emergency response and to (2) address concerns for the mental health of CBEMS providers. Participants: Skidmore College EMS is a Basic Life Support First Response service staffed by volunteer undergraduate students. Methods: In coordination with faculty and staff, students in the MHTF developed trainings, peer support structures, community events, policies, and informational resources. Results: Sixteen students joined the MHTF within 1 year. Over 35 Skidmore College EMS members received training on mental health emergency response, peer-support, and self-care. Debriefing programs, mindfulness-based events, shift-length limitations, and access to informational resources promoted the mental health of Skidmore College EMS members. Conclusions: Implementing an MHTF is an innovative, student-led approach to coupling education on emergency response with programming that supports the mental health of CBEMS providers.
ISSN:0744-8481
1940-3208
DOI:10.1080/07448481.2019.1583654