By Macady Amparan

Staff Writer

The need for mental health support for college students has increased significantly over the past decade. However, the rising demand has often not been matched by resources, leaving the traditional counseling center model ill-equipped to solve the problem.

Delaware County Community College has a team of counselors and professionals dedicated to providing the resources necessary to ensure students thrive. Jason Stansberry, co-chair of the Suicide Prevention Committee, said the college is working to make the community aware of essential services that are available at no additional cost to students.

Crucially, personal and crisis counseling at the college is provided on a walk-in basis, meaning no appointment is required for students seeking immediate help during business hours.

“Here at DCCC, we are trying to make sure that our community is aware of services that do not have any additional costs,” said Stansberry, an assistant professor of counseling.

One such resource is the CARE referral system. Anyone concerned about the behavior of a student at the college is encouraged to submit a referral, which allows students, faculty, and administrators to alert the institution when they have a concern about a peer or colleague. Filing a report alerts the CARE Team, which works to prevent a threat or crisis before it occurs. The team also responds to sudden behavioral concerns that require immediate attention.

According to a national survey, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem during the 2020-21 school year. At Delaware County Community College, CARE reports have increased 127% over the last two years alone. This figure does not include students who visit the counseling center on their own, suggesting a significant amount of student need may remain unaccounted for.

But students and faculty do not have to suffer in silence. The college is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a Certified Suicide Prevention Institution of Higher Education under Act 110. The school received the designation at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year and has maintained it since, ensuring the college has the training and resources needed to provide exceptional care.

Counselors typically see three categories of issues: basic adjustments and interpersonal conflicts; academic demands and time management; and acute issues such as suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and trauma.

Ryan Jaffe, co-chair of the Suicide Prevention Committee at DCCC, noted that external factors also play a role in student well-being. “The other things we see a lot are an increase in housing insecurity and food insecurity,” Jaffe said. “We are anticipating as things ramp up nationally and politically, things could be impacting students, especially those who could be undocumented.”

Studies show that students are more likely to approach a peer about a pressing issue before seeking help from faculty or advisors. To address this, many schools are implementing workshops to train students in empathy, mentoring, and active listening. This ensures that fewer students fall through the cracks and helps them find the first steppingstone toward professional help.

The Suicide Prevention Committee (SPC) at DCCC was established in 2019 and is composed of counselors and administrators from throughout the college. The committee meets regularly throughout the academic year to create programming, training opportunities, and provide educational resources. Recent examples of this outreach include sessions such as “More Than Grief: Understanding Life’s Everyday Losses,” a Zoom event held on Nov. 6 that focused on navigating the complexities of various forms of loss.

In addition to student-facing events, the committee facilitates professional development for faculty and staff. On March 5, Jaffe and Stansberry led an in-person session titled “Suicide Prevention 101.” The training was designed to help employees recognize warning signs and effectively engage with struggling individuals through empathetic dialogue and community connections.

The committee has also developed a comprehensive Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Communication Plan to help identify support systems. This plan educates the community on recognizing warning signs, which can include indirect language such as “I just want out,” “My family would be better off without me,” or “I won’t be around much longer.” The college also encourages participation in the “Take 5 to Save Lives” initiative, which asks individuals to take five minutes to learn warning signs and practice self-care.

The plan lists critical 24/7 resources, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Dial 988) and the Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741), as well as local mobile crisis units for Delaware and Chester counties. The SPC also maintains an Instagram page to promote events and counseling services. These resources are advertised across all campuses as part of the criteria for the college’s state recognition.

Help is not out of reach. With virtual and in-person care available 24/7, DCCC is prepared with the resources to handle both minor and major issues affecting the lives of its students.