An innovative research study begun in October by the University's School of Social Work aims to give students with mental illness greater control over their well-being.
But the program is still having a hard time getting students to sign up.
Anna Scheyett associate dean of academic affairs at the School of Social Work" said the advanced directives research project allows students with mental illnesses to identify how they should be treated should their conditions intensify.
She said the program is the first of its kind at an American university.
""An advanced directive is a legal document used throughout the country that allows a person with a mental illness who knows they might have some symptoms come up to write down things that might help later"" Scheyett said.
Interested students can work with a trained mental health professional in the School of Social Work to create a plan for what should happen to them when they get sick. The document is witnessed, notarized and filed.
Students can identify signs or symptoms that would alert others to their illness, list medicines that could help them, provide contact information for their doctor or request help communicating with professors or landlords.
This idea kind of builds a safety net for people" so the University and folks around them can step in before it gets to the point where they get really really sick. Ideally it can help avoid tragedy" Scheyett said.
Scheyett said the program has had positive effects when tested at local mental health centers, but that it's been difficult to get students to participate.
An estimated 15 percent of students experience mental illness in college, but these illnesses often go undiagnosed. Scheyett said college students are often not convinced that they have a mental health problem.
When you're young" you may not have had a lot of depressive episodes yet Scheyett said. You may say ‘Oh" I just broke up with my boyfriend or I was having a tough time at school.' You may not be ready to recognize that you have a chronic disorder.""
Scheyett said she hopes to work with students who have experienced mental illness to improve the project.
Jim Kessler" director of disability services" said he thinks the benefit of the test program is that it gives greater control to the patient.
""I think it really gives people real ownership of their well-being. You have more control over what happens to you" and that's really kind of nice" he said.
A grant was provided for the program by the Armfield-Reeves Innovations Fund established by Billy and Janie Armfield and Sam and Betsy Reeves.
How to participate
To find out if you are a good candidate, e-mail your contact information to ADMH@unc.edu. Let program officials know how you would like to be contacted" by e-mail or phone. If the phone isn't answered the message would say" ""Please call the School of Social Work at 962-4372 at your earliest convenience.""
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
