(564b) Implementation of a College-Wide Engineering Student Mental Health and Wellness Training

Within engineering, students are exposed to a high stress academic training environment that can impact their mental health. Further, engineering students who experience symptoms of mental health distress are significantly less likely to seek professional help when compared to their non-engineering peers. Normalizing prioritization of mental health within a College of Engineering has the potential to improve student mental health and help-seeking behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to transition research to practice through implementing mental health training for undergraduate students across a College of Engineering. A 15-minute evidence-based mental health training session was developed and tailored to the engineering experience through integration of quotes from engineering students. The training covered key topic areas including: 1) the importance of prioritizing mental health in engineering, 2) recognizing the difference between normal stress and mental health distress, 3) talking to someone about their mental health and 4) campus resources to support student mental health. To deliver the training, three Counseling Psychology graduate students visited over 50 courses across the College of Engineering with a goal of reaching all students in all years of study across each engineering major. Pre- and post-survey data was collected to investigate the impact of the training on student knowledge about mental health resources and their attitudes about seeking help. This data will be used to support future implementation of mental health training in an effort to normalize conversations around mental health in the College of Engineering.