Watering the Roots, Harvesting Success: Practical Strategies for Supporting Student Mental Health

May 15, 2025 - 1:00 PM

The prevalence of mental health problems among college students has been on the rise in recent years, posing significant challenges for academic advisors who support student success. According to recent studies, a staggering number of college students experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions and support systems on campus. Research shows that individuals are more likely to seek help when someone they care about expresses concern and encourages them to seek support. This presentation will provide attendees with essential insights and strategies to better understand the mental health needs of their students, with a particular focus on the impact of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and challenges faced by marginalized student populations. This webinar goes beyond awareness. The presenters aim to equip attendees with the necessary skills to support college students in developing mental health challenges and help connect them with appropriate care. The presenters will discuss communication techniques to initiate sensitive and supportive conversations about mental health. This includes active listening, validating feelings, culturally responsive conversations, and offering resources without judgment. After the webinar, attendees will be equipped with the skills to support students developing mental health challenges and help connect them to appropriate care to harvest success.

Webinar Presenters

Shantalea Johns
Shantalea Johns, EdD, LMSW, is the Director of Continuing Education and Assistant Professor- Clinical at Wayne State University School of Social Work in Detroit, Michigan. She is also a licensed therapist in Michigan, Ohio, and Washington. Her primary research interests include trauma, relationship difficulties, and the social determinants of mental health challenges among urban African American youth from adolescence to early adulthood.
Erica Brown-Meredith
Erica Brown-Meredith, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University. Her scholarly and teaching interests include the impact of intersectional gender bias on women of Color leadership in higher education; multi-dimensions of racism on mental health on Black well-being; academic advising and equity in higher education for first-generation, limited-income, minoritized racial and ethnic, and transfer students; diversity, equity, and inclusive instructional and curricular pedagogical practices; and proactive advising practices in social work education programs.
Quentin Alexander
Quentin Alexander, Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, is Associate Vice Provost for Academic Advisor and Assistant Professor at James Madison University. He is a former mental health therapist, graduate Counselor Education faculty member, and public education. His primary research interests include trauma associated with the transition of underrepresented student populations in higher education, first-generation and racial and minority student experiences attending predominantly White institutions of higher education, and the intersection of academic advising and mental health counseling.

Register by Mail/Fax

Individuals using checks or purchase orders for payment must use this Registration Form.

Please complete the form, print it, and mail or fax to the Executive Office. Registrations will be processed in the order they are received. Once processing is complete, you will receive via email a receipt or invoice for the event.
The completed form and a check or approved PO must be received by the Executive Office at least two working days prior to the event. If the event should reach capacity before your registration can be processed, your check or PO will be returned to you.
Note: For your financial safety, we can NOT accept registrations with a credit card via email.

Transfer/Refund Policy

If you find after registering that you are not able to attend the broadcast, you may:

- Choose to simply remain registered and view the streamable recording of the event from the link that will be provided and available for 30 days following the event.

- Transfer your registration to another individual from your institution. (If this person is not a current NACADA member, they will either be asked to become a member or pay the non-member fee.)

- Up to 30 days prior to the webinar: Request a refund of paid registration fees (less $25) in writing.

- 29 to 8 days prior to the webinar: Request a refund off paid registration fees (less 50%) in writing.

- Due to service provider obligations, refund requests can not be accepted less than 8 days before the event. Internal campus substitutions can be made up to 3 days before the broadcast.

- In the unlikely event the broadcast is cancelled, registration fees will be returned.

Pricing

NACADA Members:

Before/on April 15 - $175
After/on April 16 - $200

Non-Members:

Before/on April 15 - $325
After/on April 16 - $350

Registration closes May 13, 2025