Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act
The Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act (MHEACA) was passed on August 9th, 2019 in order to “address gaps in mental health services on college campuses across Illinois, including both 2-year and 4-year institutions, through training, peer support, and community-campus partnerships.” One in 4 college students is treated or diagnosed with a mental health condition and about 75% of all mental health conditions start by age 24. According to MHEACA, each public college or university in this state must complete specified tasks related to the following:
- Increasing training and awareness among faculty, staff, and students
- Building better mental health screening to better identify students in need;
- Improving capacity to provide mental health treatment and peer support on campus; and
- Creating a statewide Technical Assistance Center to assist in implementation and quality assurance
View the legislation here
What is EIU doing to support students' Mental Health?
- EIU Counseling Clinic has adopted a Stepped Care Model, guaranteeing students one appointment in the counseling clinic to provide students with resources and skills.
- EIU Health Education Resource Center provides Mental Health Workshops and one on one peer support consultations
- EIU has partnered with Togetherall to provide free online peer support to students.
- Ten individuals on campus have become Mental Health First Aid trainers and are able to provide Mental Health First Aid to groups on campus
- EIU implemented the Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) On-Line Suicide Gatekeeper Training for students, faculty, and staff
- Each incoming student is required to complete "AlcoholEdu for College," "Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergrads" Understanding Sexual Assault", and "Mental Well-Being for Undergrads".
- EIU Health and Counseling Services has partnered with several other departments on campus and local agencies to implement a "Mental Health Fair", providing students with on-campus and local resources, along with mental health workshops
- EIU Health and Counseling Services provides free online mental health screenings