News & Initiatives

2021-2022

Successfully recruited and added 5 new task force members throughout the 2021-22 academic year including 2 student representatives
Developed survey to assess faculty and staff feelings towards supporting students with mental health struggles as well as coping with their own mental health struggles.
Received 145 responses from SUNY WCC faculty and staff members
Distributed 2 “Mental Health Matters” Mental Health Task Force newsletters to the broader WCC community
Drafted Medical Leave of Absence policy

2020-2021

In Fall of 2020, first student representative, SGA President, Gianna Jimenez, joined the MHTF
Sept 16th & Sept 18th: JED Campus visit with MHTF and development of strategic plan
Sept. 30th: Meet the Mental Health Task Force event on Zoom; Event open to WCC students, faculty, & staff to learn about the goals of the MHTF
Oct. 2020: MHTF created subcommittees based on strategic plan and identified goals
- Gatekeeper Subcommittee
- Student Input Subcommittee
- Policy Subcommittee
- Communications Subcommittee
- Connectedness Subcommittee
Sept. – Dec. 2020: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay Days; Monthly student programs intended to destigmatize conversations around mental health
March 2020: Launch of Mental Health Task Force website and e-mail address
March 2020: Completion of JED Campus Life Skills Inventory

2019-2020

The Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) at Westchester Community College was formed in 2019 by Co-Chairs, Pat Sheehan, LMHC, and Kristy Robinson, LCSW. Faculty and staff representing a variety of departments, specialties, and populations, were invited to commit to 1-year of serving on the MHTF.
Nov. 2019: The MHTF promoted the Healthy Minds Study campus wide. The HMS is annual web-based survey extended to all WCC students examining mental health, service utilization, and related issues among undergraduate and graduate students. 764 students completed the survey.
Nov. 2019-Dec. 2019: The MHTF worked and ultimately submitted the JED Campus Assessment. This assessment looked at critical components of men
May 2020: The MHTF promoted the Healthy Minds Study COVID-19 Module –an additional web-based survey extended to all WCC students examining the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and service utilization. 363 students completed the survey.