The University Counseling Center (UCC) at Notre Dame has been awarded a $306,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant program. This funding will support the creation and implementation of ND Cares, a new project designed to enhance mental health and suicide prevention initiatives at the University.
The Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant program, established by Congress in 2004 following the tragic loss of Senator Gordon Smith’s son to suicide, funds efforts aimed at suicide prevention across college campuses, states, and Native communities. Notre Dame is now among the recipients of this grant, marking a significant step toward addressing the mental health crisis affecting college students.
ND Cares: A Comprehensive Approach to Student Well-Being
The ND Cares project aims to bolster the University’s support for its nearly 13,000 students, focusing on early intervention, creating a supportive campus culture, and fostering student well-being as a foundation for academic success. Aligned with Notre Dame’s Catholic, Holy Cross mission to support holistic student development—mind, body, and spirit—the project involves a community effort from students, faculty, and staff to promote mental health awareness and provide a comprehensive support system for those in need.
UCC Director Chris Conway emphasized the importance of addressing student perceptions that the University is indifferent to their mental health struggles. “Notre Dame students are among the brightest, but they are not immune to the mental health challenges impacting this generation,” Conway said. The ND Cares project, made possible by the Garrett Lee Smith Grant, offers an innovative approach to mental health care, aiming to establish a zero-suicide framework and a campus-wide culture of awareness.
Key Goals of ND Cares
ND Cares is built around two primary goals:
Zero-Suicide Framework: This goal focuses on early intervention, expanding mental health screenings, and increasing referrals to the UCC, University Health Services, and the Center for Student Support and Care. National data from the 2023 National College Health Assessment (NCHA) reveals that stress, anxiety, and depression are major issues for Notre Dame students, making early intervention even more critical.
Conway stressed the importance of addressing distress at the earliest signs, whether through on-site interventions or referrals to the UCC or other campus services. “Intervening early is key to supporting our students’ long-term mental health,” he said.
Cultivating a Culture of Mental Health Awareness: The second goal of ND Cares involves fostering collaboration across various campus departments to ensure that every student feels valued and supported throughout their mental health journey. This includes developing initiatives that promote mental health literacy and empower students to seek help when needed.
In partnership with the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs (OMVA), the UCC will create outreach programs focused on supporting military-affiliated students, including veterans and ROTC students. There are currently 591 military-affiliated students at Notre Dame, and the UCC aims to reduce barriers to mental health services by increasing collaboration with local Veterans Affairs resources.
“By partnering with the UCC, we hope to create an environment in which military-connected students feel comfortable seeking mental health resources and thrive holistically,” said Ken Heckel, director of the OMVA.
Addressing Student Concerns
A key aspect of ND Cares is addressing concerns raised by students in the most recent NCHA survey. Approximately 43% of students reported that they did not feel the University prioritized their health and well-being, and 38% felt that the University’s climate did not encourage open discussions about mental health. To address these perceptions, ND Cares will offer mental health literacy and online training programs for faculty and staff and launch a peer-support pilot program designed to help students build resilience and manage stress effectively in a high-pressure academic environment.
The UCC has also established a Suicide Prevention Coalition to ensure that underrepresented student groups have a voice in shaping these initiatives. The coalition includes students, faculty, and staff from key areas like Student Health and Wellness, Residential Life, Campus Ministry, and Diversity and Engagement.
Moving Forward with Mental Health Initiatives
With the support of the ND Cares project, the University Counseling Center is poised to make significant strides in promoting mental health and well-being on campus. By increasing awareness, providing early intervention, and fostering a supportive community, Notre Dame is taking proactive steps to address the mental health challenges faced by students and ensure that they have the tools and resources needed to succeed both academically and personally.
