At College of Western Idaho (CWI), all faculty and staff play an important role in creating a culture of wellness and caring. Many college students experience emotional, social, or mental health challenges that can affect their academic performance and overall success. When these challenges go unaddressed, students may experience lower GPAs and an increased risk of dropping out.
Through regular interactions with students, faculty and staff are often the first to notice changes in behavior or signs of emotional distress. While employees are not expected to serve as mental health professionals, there are simple and effective ways to support students and help them feel a sense of belonging at CWI.
To assist in this effort, Supporting Students in Distress: A Guide for Mental Health Situations was created as a resource for faculty and staff. This self-paced course is housed in Canvas and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Participants will gain practical tools to recognize concerns, provide support, and connect students with appropriate resources.
For quick reference, Supporting Individuals in Distress is also available and includes brief tips and campus resources.
Faculty, staff, and students may also take advantage of the following free mental health and wellness resources available through CWI:
Mental Health First Aid
This training teaches participants how to identify and respond to signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use. Courses are taught by CWI trainers and are offered as a full-day session or two half-day sessions. Participants receive a certificate upon completion.
Visit the Mental Health First Aid registration link to view upcoming classes or request a custom training for your department.
Question, Persuade, Refer
This is an online suicide prevention training that is self-paced and takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Faculty, staff, and students may request access by emailing counselor@cwi.edu.
Therapy Assistance Online
This resource provides interactive self-help tools, including short courses and single-session resources. Topics include stress management, anxiety, depression, relationships, anger management, and procrastination. CWI community members may create a free account using their CWI email address at TAOConnect.
Campus Well
This online wellness publication is designed specifically for college students. New content is released weekly and is accessible 24/7 on any device. Topics focus on mental and emotional health, academic performance, stress management, healthy relationships, and overall self-care to help prevent the need for in-person intervention.
For those with questions or interested in learning more, please contact christybabcock@cwi.edu.
