Collaboration

Download a text version of this module: Collaboration

About This Module

Mental health issues often co-occur with other problems such as substance abuse, and they can take an enormous toll on individuals and impact a college or university in many ways. There are staff and departments both on- and off-campus who are concerned about the well-being of students and the impact of mental health issues, so partnerships around mental health promotion and suicide prevention make good sense.

Efforts to promote student mental health and prevent suicide are more likely to succeed when there is broad participation and a shared commitment to meet common goals. Collaborative efforts are also more likely to be sustained when responsibilities and resources (such as staff, materials, and even funding) are shared. Whether you are seeking collaboration to support your overarching efforts or for a specific suicide prevention task, like creating crisis protocols, involving others is essential.

In this module you can explore the steps involved in collaboration and some questions and challenges you might face.

A downloadable text version (PDF) of all module content is available.

Worksheets

The worksheets in the module are also listed below for easy access. They can be downloaded and completed as you move through the steps described in this module.

• Worksheet: Involve Key Stakeholders
• Worksheet: Clarify Stakeholders’ Interests and Goals
• Worksheet: Determine Goals with Stakeholder Input
• Worksheet: Identify Overlapping Priorities
• Worksheet: Reach Out to Untapped Partners
• Worksheet: Develop and Sign an MOU
• Worksheet: Engage Partners Consistently and Creatively

References

Butterfoss, F. D., Goodman, R. M., & Wandersman, A. (1993). Community coalitions for prevention and health promotion. Health Education Research, 8(3), 315–330.

The Jed Foundation, & Education Development Center. (2011). CampusMHAP: A guide to campus mental health action planning. Newton, MA: Education Development Center, Inc.