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Mental Health Task Force Implementation Plans

Following the excellent work of the Institutional Task Force on Student, Faculty, and Staff Mental Health and Well-being (MHTF) in 2022-23, Miami moved to a new phase of work around mental health and emotional well-being in fall 2023 that is comprehensive, coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable. A standing university committee was formed to focus on the emotional well-being of all members of the Miami community consisting of students, faculty, staff, and administrative representatives across Miami’s campuses.

Guided by campus experts and passionate advocates, the committee is first focusing on coordinating the prioritization and implementation of the recommendations from the MHTF. After the first stage is completed, the next phase of this committee will begin the development of the longer-term vision and priorities.

Deliverables

  • Convene full committee membership, review the committee charge, familiarize the committee with the four categories of task force recommendations (communication, systems, education, culture). These four categories will align with our committee workgroups and committee members will be asked to join the workgroup that resonates most with their interest/background.
  • Create a system and prioritize the 56 MHTF recommendations based on the values of practicality/feasibility, necessary resources, and degree of impact.
  • The four committee workgroups will meet separately to begin implementing 1-2 specific recommendations at a time from their particular category. They should begin by determining deliverables and a timeline for each project they choose. The workgroups may choose to invite additional members with expertise on a given topic to join them on an ad hoc basis in order to move a recommendation forward.
  • The committee chair will meet with each workgroup periodically for status updates, to offer support and input, and ensure progress is occurring. 
  • Partner with UCM to develop a communication plan regarding the work of the committee, including a website that provides regular updates regarding progress made on MHTF recommendations.
  • Provide periodic updates to Jayne Brownell, Senior Vice President for Student Life, including a written report each semester (and/or by request) that summarizes the work of the committee that semester, including committee accomplishments, progress towards goals, obstacles faced, and future priorities.
  • Determine a cadence and charge for future committee meetings with the ultimate goal being a longer-term road map to build and sustain a culture of well-being and care that evolves and persists for the long term.
aerial wooden bridge going through a heavily wooded area

In fall 2023, the communication workgroup focused in on two priorities: beginning work toward a new comprehensive communication strategy (focused on a new website) and developing a calendar of common student issues and when these issues are likely to arise throughout the year to allow for more targeted messaging.

Fitness Class

The systems workgroup spent the fall 2023 semester reviewing past faculty/staff and student wellness survey data, investigating opportunities for potential alighmnet of counseling center resources and procedures across campuses, and examining the potential for wellness chairs in student organizations. 

three students in graduation regalia at Miami's graduation

During the fall 2023 semester, the education workgroup gathered information on resources for faculty and staff mental health and well-being, designed and disseminated an informational handout regarding difficult conversations and resources available, and began developing partnerships with key departments on campus.  

Students walking across campus

The culture workgroup spent the fall 2023 semester reviewing and exploring the priorities from the initial report to understand potential areas of overlap and opportunities to partner. The group is planning is 
student satisfaction survey for spring 2024 in collaboration with the student success committee. They also began work on a messaging program to inform all campuses of theculture work and how they can be involved/what is going well.

Membership (2023-24)

Building this committee is in progress, and the list of members is subject to change.

Chair

Steve Large, Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellness
Division of Student Life

Staff

Regionals

  • Tori Myles
  • Douglas Reichenberger
  • Claire Ruberg

Oxford

  • Mike Arnos 
  • Craig Bennett
  • Amy Bergerson
  • Alyssa Ciango
  • Lauren Evans Toben
  • Brooke Flinders
  • Jasmine Hardy
  • Katelynn Howell
  • Rachel Kelly
  • Katie Kromer
  • Jen O’Brien
  • Erik Sorensen
  • Ricardo Trevino
  • Maria Vitullo
  • John Ward
  • Benjamin Williams
  • Karen Wilson
  • Akeisha Wilson-Coulibaly
  • Rebecca Young

Faculty

Regionals

  • Ashlyn Johnson
  • Dee Kinney 

Oxford

  • Stephanie Danker (Dept. of Art)
  • Carol Fabby (Physics)
  • Jennifer Quinn (Psychology)

Students

Oxford

  • Jack Fazio (Student Trustee)
  • Jackson Gunn (DAB)
  • Emma Halcomb (Miami HOPE)
  • Aidan Schacht (HAWK)
  • Nyah Smith (ASG)

Workgroups

Culture Workgroup

  • Jayne Brownell (co-chair)
  • Clair Ruberg (co-chair)
  • Craig Bennett
  • Amy Bergerson
  • Lauren Evans Toben
  • Brooke Flinders 
  • Jennifer Quinn
  • Nyah Smith

Education Workgroup

  • Katelyn Howell (chair)
  • Mike Arnos
  • Alyssa Ciango
  • Stephanie Danker
  • Ashlyn Johnson
  • Tori Myles
  • Aidan Schacht
  • Erik Sorensen

Communication Workgroup

  • Jen O’Brien (chair)
  • Jack Fazio
  • Emma Halcomb
  • Jasmine Hardy
  • Rachel Kelly
  • Dee Kinney
  • Ricardo Trevino
  • Ben Williams
  • Rebecca Young

Systems Workgroup

  • John Ward (chair)
  • Carol Fabby
  • Jackson Gunn
  • Katie Kromer
  • Doug Reichenberger
  • Maria Vitullo
  • Karen Wilson
  • Akeisha Wilson-Coulibaly