Unlocking Success: 10 Inspiring Tips to Elevate Integrated Behavioral Health Leadership in Higher Education
- Dr. Teranda Knight, DBH, IBHL, LSSGB
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Dr. Teranda Knight, DBH, LSSGB, IBHL
Thursday, June 5, 2025
In today's busy educational landscape, supporting students' mental and emotional health is more important than ever. Higher education institutions face challenges that require strong integrated behavioral health leadership. At "Never Feed the Beast," I believe in working hard and staying peaceful to create meaningful change. Here are ten practical tips to elevate integrated behavioral health leadership in higher education.
1. Foster an Integrated and Collaborative Culture
Creating a culture of collaboration encourages leaders and staff from different departments to unite around integrated behavioral health initiatives. For instance, set up regular meetings to review shared goals and strategies. Consider interdisciplinary training programs where psychology, counseling, and academic departments come together to enhance mental health resource integration. Research shows that institutions with collaborative practices see a 25% increase in student engagement and satisfaction with services (Omland, et al, 2025; American College Health Association, 2022).
2. Prioritize Mental Health Awareness
Raising awareness of mental health's importance is essential in any educational setting. Develop campaigns and workshops to destigmatize mental health issues. For example, host Mental Health Awareness Month activities featuring art, music, and storytelling that invite students and staff into candid conversations. According to the American College Health Association (201), institutions with mental health awareness initiatives report a 20% increase in students accessing mental health resources.
3. Implement Comprehensive Training Programs
Equip faculty and staff with the skills to recognize and address behavioral health issues. Training should cover evidence-based practices that help identify at-risk students and respond effectively. Consider offering workshops that emphasize active listening and understanding mental health resources. An extensive study revealed that institutions implementing comprehensive training programs saw a 30% increase in faculty referrals to mental health services.
4. Develop Student-Centered Policies
Student-centered policies foster a supportive environment. Involve students in decision-making processes regarding behavioral health services, ensuring policies adapt to their needs (Mowreader, 2024). Harvard University (2025) has reported enhanced student satisfaction and reduced rates of dropout when students are involved in shaping relevant policies. A focus on student feedback can lead to more effective services.
5. Enhance Accessibility to Resources
Make mental health resources easy to access on campus. This could include expanding counseling hours, providing telehealth options, and setting up peer-support groups (Sovis, 2024). Ensure that mental health services communicate clearly through various channels—like social media, posters, and orientation sessions (Sovis, 2024). Mohlmann & Basch (2023) found that clear communication about available mental health services increased with telehealth services.
6. Leverage Technology for Engagement
Using technology can boost outreach in behavioral health leadership. Consider introducing digital platforms that provide mental health education, online support groups, or self-care mobile apps (Grit Digital Health, 2021). For example, an online mental health resource hub can help students access information easily. Institutions that implement such technology report an increase in student engagement with mental health resources (Grit Digital Health, 2021).
7. Encourage a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Promote balance for students and staff alike (Eshun & Segbenya. 2024). Offer mental health days, flexible schedules, and wellness workshops focused on mindfulness and self-care. New York University found that institutions offering wellness initiatives experienced a 15% boost in productivity among students and staff.
8. Measure Outcomes Regularly
According to the American Council on Education (2020) tracking the effectiveness of behavioral health initiatives is crucial for growth. Conduct regular surveys and assessments to gain insights into student mental health and identify areas for improvement. Use this data to adapt services. Institutions that measure their outcomes report improved satisfaction rates and more effective support systems.
9. Celebrate Successes
Times Union (2025) found that recognizing achievements can build morale and inspire further engagement in behavioral health initiatives. Host events or ceremonies that honor contributions to mental health efforts, creating a sense of community (Times Union, 2025). Celebrating milestones can strengthen the commitment to integrated behavioral health leadership, fostering a positive environment.
10. Stay Committed to Continuous Improvement
According to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2022) behavioral health in education is constantly evolving. Staying updated on new trends and best practices is vital. Regularly review strategies and incorporate emerging research findings to adapt to changing needs. Institutions that embrace continuous improvement are better equipped to provide effective support.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Elevating integrated behavioral health leadership in higher education is a collective journey that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and commitment. By following these ten inspiring tips, institutions can foster a supportive environment that nurtures the mental well-being of students and staff. With dedication and a focus on positive change, we can collectively unlock success in our educational communities.
Let’s lead with confidence and resilience!
References:
American College Health Association. (2021). National college health assessment: Undergraduate student reference group executive summary. https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHA-III_SPRING_2021_UNDERGRADUATE_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf.
American Council on Education. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic and students' mental health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9111104/.
Benton, S. A., Benton, S. L., & McAllister, C. (2020). Faculty and staff training in mental health: A review of the literature. Journal of College Student Development, 61(5), 625–640. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2020.0054.
Eshun, E. N. K., & Segbenya, M. (2024). Modelling the mediating role of work-life balance on the relationship between work arrangement and employee performance in higher education. SAGE Open, 14(2), 21582440241263447.
Grit Digital Health. (2021). YOU@College: A digital platform for student well-being. https://www.gritdigitalhealth.com/you-at-college.
Harvard College. (2025, February 19). The student team enhancing Harvard’s surveys. https://college.harvard.edu/about/news/student-team-enhancing-harvards-surveys.
Mohlmann, A., & Basch, C. H. (2023). Access and efficacy of university mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of American College Health, 71(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2071234
Mowreader, A. (2024, October 22). College students care deeply about mental health policy. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2024/10/22/college-students-care-deeply-about-mental-health.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2022). Mental health, substance use, and wellbeing in higher education: Supporting the whole student. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26303
Omland, M. et al. (2025). Co-creation in higher education: A conceptual systematic review. Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-024-01364-1.
Sovis, A. (2024, February 15). Northwood University expands student access to mental health support. Our Midland. https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/northwood-university-expands-student-access-20038285.php.
Times Union. (2025, June 2). Commentary: New York is solving the college dropout problem. Times Union. https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/commentary-new-york-solving-college-dropout-20352859.php.
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