Committee Initiatives
Stay up to date on areas of focus within the three standing Student Wellness Committees.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee
Key Findings from students at Austin Peay State University (online)
Following are some key findings on the use of alcohol:
67.8 % of the students consumed alcohol in the past year ("annual prevalence").
50.2 % of the students consumed alcohol in the past 30 days ("30-day prevalence").
28.9 % of underage students (younger than 21) consumed alcohol in the previous 30
days.
20.1 % of students reported binge drinking in the previous two weeks. A binge is defined
as consuming 5 or more drinks in one sitting.
Following are some key findings on the use of illegal drugs:
15.9 % of the students have used marijuana in the past year ("annual prevalence").
7.1 % of the students are current marijuana users ("30-day prevalence").
7.5 % of the students have used an illegal drug other than marijuana in the past year
("annual prevalence").
5.2 % of the students are current users of illegal drugs other than marijuana ("30-day
prevalence").
With regard to students' perceptions of other students use:
81.8% of students believe the average student on campus uses alcohol once a week or
more.
70.3% of students believe the average student on this campus uses some form of illegal
drug at least once a week.
49.5% of students indicated they would prefer not to have alcohol available at parties they attend.
93.3% of students indicated they would prefer not to have drugs available at parties they attend.
For additional findings, please contact Isaiah Hurtado at hurtadoi@apsu.edu
Austin Peay State University’s fundamental purpose is to produce educated men and women equipped to use their abilities productively and wisely. The curricula and extra-curricular activities of the University are routes to intellectual maturity and means to the development of ideas, insights, values and competencies which form a permanent, personal capacity for thought and action. The University strives to provide an environment for students to construct their own education and to acquire the means of making self-education the rewarding enterprise of a lifetime, enabling them to become effective agents of social change. An environment free of the illegal or abusive use of alcohol or other drugs by members of the academic community encourages this educational development. Therefore, Austin Peay State University is committed to having a campus that is free of alcohol and other drug use.
The following are institutional policies and procedures for review:
Please follow the link below on a scheduled list of AOD events offered through Health and Counseling Services.
APSU Health and Counseling Services offer two confidential self-assessments for Alcohol and Marijuana which participants will receive accurate and detailed information about:
- You use patterns and personal risk of AOD-related harm
- Your unique family risk factors
- Your aspirations and goals
- Helpful resources at Austin Peay State University and in your community.
Students, faculty and staff are responsible, as citizens, for knowing about and complying with the provisions of Tennessee law that make it a crime to possess, sell, deliver or manufacture those drugs designated collectively as “controlled substances” in 39-17-405-39-17-426 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. Any member of the University community who violates those laws is subject both to prosecution and punishment by the civil authorities and to disciplinary proceedings by the University.
It is expected that APSU students, faculty, and staff who use or possess alcoholic beverages will do so as legally prescribed by the laws of the state of Tennessee, within the regulations of Austin Peay State University and live in a manner that does not disrupt the lives of others. A person whose conduct is outside these parameters will be subject to the judicial rules and procedures of the University.
It is not “double jeopardy” for both the civil authorities and the University to proceed against and punish a person for the same specified conduct. The University will initiate its own disciplinary proceeding against a student or employee when the alleged conduct is deemed to affect the interests of the University. Sanctions will be imposed by the University in accordance with this policy, Staff Handbook, Faculty Handbook, Code of Student Conduct and other appropriate University policies. Students, faculty, and staff members of APSU with substance abuse problems are encouraged to take advantage of available diagnostic, referral, counseling and prevention services. However, employees and students availing themselves of these services will not be granted special privileges and exemptions from standard academic and student conduct requirements. Austin Peay will not excuse acts of misconduct committed by employees and students whose judgment is impaired due to substance use.
Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities (CHASCo) - Collection of higher education professions who address health and safety issues on various campuses. This coalition represents both private and public colleges and Universities in the state of Tennessee.
Health Promotion Committee
The National College Health Assessment will be implemented in the Fall of 2022 to approximately 10 percent of the total student population. The ACHA-NCHA is a nationally recognized research survey that will be utilized in collecting precise data about students' health habits, behaviors, and perceptions.
The ACHA-NCHA offers a way to map the widest range of health issues on college campuses within emphasis in each of the following:
- Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
- Sexual health
- Weight, nutrition, and exercise
- Mental health
- Personal safety and violence
Students who complete the survey will be automatically entered into a drawing for one of several prizes: an apple watch, two $100 Visa gift cards, or Dining Dollars (in the amount of $50) for University dining.
For additional information on the NCHA Assessment, please follow the link below:
Peer support and education has been found to be a powerful allies in promoting health education and wellbeing within college campuses. The health promotion committee is currently researching best practices and strategies for the creation of a health promotion peer education program at Austin Peay State University.
Peer education structure vary within each institution, however, training remains consistent through a Certified Peer Education (CPE) Training offered launched by the BAACHUS Network.
Additional resources on peer education:
Alternatively, Stephen Dominy, Coordinator for Fraternity & Sorority Life, and Jo Baldwin, Director of Student Conduct, were awarded a peer educator grant through the Centers for Disease Control – Delta Impactor Grant to develop, implement and assess a peer education program focus on sexual violence prevention. The goal of this program in to reach over 5,000 students directly in a 5 year span.
The Healthier Tennessee Campuses program is part of the Governor Foundations for Health and Wellness statewide Healthier Communities initiative. It encourages student, faculty and staff-led health movement across the state.
When the institution as a whole develops, implements, and achieves a targeted number of healthy initiatives, we will receive an official designations as a Healthier Tennessee Campus for the Governor's Foundation and from state and local government officials. This recognition will be shared broadly with news media and across multiple social media channels.
Healthy TN campus requires 3 events per semester focused on the areas of nutrition, physical activity and tobacco. Semester active engagement must included 3% of the entire campus population and 10% indirect engagement.
Fall 2018 events included the Great American Smokeout (Nov. 15th), Health Fairs (Oct. 10th), and Breast Cancer 5K (Oct. 20th).
Majority of health information and program dates will be disseminated through social media, or additional electronic forms. See below to follow APSU Health and Counseling Services, and Healthier TN Campus - Austin Peay on both Instagram and Facebook. Users of the Peay Mobile app can also stay up to date on upcoming programs and events.
Peay Mobile APP
Mental Health and Wellness Committee
Research has demonstrated a significant relationship between students' emotional well-being and their academic performance and retention. Data from the National College Health Assessment show that of the top 8 Factors affecting academic performance for students, five were related to mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and sleep difficulties (ACHA-NCHA, 2018).
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Sleep Difficulties
- Depression
- Cold/ Flu/ Sore throat
- Work
- Internet use/ computer games
- Relationships difficulties
Nationally, the direct impact of mental well-being on academic success is apparent, however, this has not been studied at the local level. The Mental Wellness Student Wellness Committee is exploring the implementation of the Healthy Minds Study (HMS) in the Fall of 2020. HMS is a web-based survey study examining mental health, service utilization and related issues among undergraduate and graduate students.
For addition information on the Healthy Minds Survey, please follow the link below:
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed and untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety and substance problems can increase risk for suicide (AFSP, 2019).
The top 5 causes of death among people ages 15 to 24 in the United States are highly preventable and include unintentional Injury, suicide, homicide, heart disease, malignant neoplasms (CDC, 2017).
More than 50% of college students have had suicidal thoughts at some point throughout their collegiate career and most do not tell anyone about it or seek professional help. 10.3% of college students seriously considered suicide within the last 12 months, and 1.4% of college students attempted suicide within the last 12 months (ACHF, 2018).
With this information in mind, the Austin Peay State University as a whole has been taking proactive steps in preventing suicide and increasing student well-being. Faculty, staff, and even students all play in valuable role in preventing suicide as one life lost is one too many!
Please review the tabs below on how you can play a part.
What role do I play?
Faculty and staff at Austin Peay State University play a crucial role in creating a campus culture of wellbeing and success for our diverse student population. In most cases, a student's largest period of engagement on a college campus is within the classroom, thus our employees at APSU serve additional roles as mentor, advisor, confidant, supervisor, etc. Throughout these interactions with students, an employee may encounter a student of concern and so we want to ensure that you are best prepared in identifying areas of student wellbeing, building a capacity to hold a meaningful conversation, and direct them to appropriate care.
1. Understand that you play a role. APSU Counseling Services and the Mental Health Student Wellness Committees is dedicated to getting the word out of the impact mental wellbeing plays on academic success. Complete the mental health outreach request link below to have a member of our staff attend your next departmental meeting, staff training, or organization gathering to introduce your team to the importance of mental wellbeing.
2. Be a Gatekeeper for Mental Well-being! Throughout the year, the Division of Student Affairs offer free QPR training which allows you to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. In just 3 simple steps you can learn to help save a life from suicide.
3. Know your resources! (See Below)
Counseling Services
Student Counseling Services operates out of a brief therapy model, with students being eligible for up to 12 counseling sessions per year. All currently-enrolled APSU students are eligible for our services, which are confidential and free of charge. All of our direct care services are provided by licensed professional staff (counselors, marriage and family therapists, and a psychologist) and/or by counseling interns working under the supervision of a licensed professional. We have worked hard to make our Center an environment that is welcoming, and caring for all students.
JED Foundation
JED is a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health.
Seize the Awkward
Nobody likes an awkward silence. But when it comes to mental health, awkward silences don’t have to be a bad thing. This campaign encourages teens and young adults to embrace the awkwardness and use this moment as an opportunity to reach out to a friend. The campaign focuses on that moment to break through the awkward silence to start a conversation about how they’re feeling.