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Scaling Up Emotional Support and Resilience Building Program for College Students
A new emotional support and resilience building program for college students is being implemented at institutions nationwide to address the increasing number of students facing mental health concerns. The program aims to provide campuses with a new resource to better serve these students.
Introducing RADical Health
RADical Health is a four-week class designed to equip college students with coping strategies before they reach a crisis point requiring professional intervention. The curriculum, developed in partnership with New York University and with input from behavioral health experts, focuses on mindfulness, active listening, communication, self-care, decision making, and time management.
Mission of the RADical Hope Foundation
The program was created by the RADical Hope Foundation, established by Pam and Phil Martin in memory of their son, Chris, who died by suicide in 2017. The foundation’s mission is to combat emotional isolation among young people by expanding and implementing science-based programs that equip them with the necessary skills to thrive.
Curriculum Development Process
The RADical Health curriculum was developed in 2020 in collaboration with New York University and consultation from various behavioral health experts. The developers directly interviewed hundreds of students nationwide to understand their main stressors and identify the skills they needed to effectively cope with emotional crises.
Spread of RADical Health Program
This fall, RADical Health will be implemented in over 30 colleges and universities across the United States. Participating institutions include Amherst College, Fairfield University, Delaware State University, Drew University, Emmanuel College, Metropolitan State University of Denver, New York University, Pace University, Prairie View A&M University, the University of Akron, and Wesleyan University. More than a third of the partners are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).
Courses and Additional Resources
The RADical Health classes, typically led by peer guides or faculty members, cover topics such as emotional intelligence, principles and priorities, building resilience, and future goals. Some colleges enhance the program with supplementary resources, such as New York University’s inclusion of “career readiness skills” for participants to earn a “Career Accelerator” certificate.
Personalized Online Platforms
RADical Health customizes an online platform for each participating college, allowing students to access their school’s specific resources and activities alongside the program.
Funding and Future Goals
RADical Hope Foundation covers all program expenses for host institutions, making it free for students and cost-free for institutions. The foundation’s funding primarily comes from private and corporate donors, including major support from organizations such as Bank of America, the National Football League, and Warner Brothers Discovery. The program’s CEO, Liz Feld, intends to reach one million participants as soon as possible and plans to utilize the National Governors Association and direct contact with state governors to expand the program.
Advantages of Peer Guidance
RADical Health places a strong emphasis on peer guidance and support, recognizing that many students can benefit significantly from the understanding, help, and wisdom of their peers without requiring professional intervention.
About the Author
The author, Mike Nietzel, is the president emeritus of Missouri State University. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and has served in various academic leadership positions throughout his career. He has authored two books focused on higher education.
