The College Toolbox Project, an IU pilot program, will work to eradicate negative stigmas surrounding mental illness, according to an Aug. 20 press ?release.
The four-year intervention and assessment research project will produce anti-stigma materials and test their effectiveness, according to the release.
The toolbox will then be distributed for use by the nonprofit organization Bring Change 2 Mind, free of charge, to colleges and universities worldwide, according to the release.
Bring Change 2 Mind is a national organization that works to end both the stigma and discrimination around mental illness, according to its website.
The fundamental philosophy of the program is to support inclusion and openness surrounding research.
The program’s first event will be a social media-based game at the Welcome Week event Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll from noon to 3 p.m. today at Showalter Fountain, according to an email from IU Communications Senior News and Media Specialist Tracy James.
Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll will be in its seventh year as a Welcome Week event. Raising awareness on the risks of sexual behavior and alcohol for college students, the event is partially sponsored by IU Health Center’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
The program will include 7,500 student interviews and 3,000 more in-depth interviews to create a better picture of mental health and how it is viewed.
CTP will target first-year students and will follow these students during their four-year college experience.
CTP will be housed at IU’s Science Institute, according to the release. The College of Arts and Sciences, School of Informatics and Computing and the School of Public Health are sponsoring this project and providing participating faculty researchers.
Anna Hyzy
Kathrine Schulze
