Widener University’s campus in Chester has been designated a PA CARES campus.
The designation, given by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, recognizes Widener as a leader for work done to increase awareness in support of student mental health and suicide prevention.
PA CARES stands for Pennsylvania “Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage, Support.”
It recognizes postsecondary institutions that have implemented mental health and suicide prevention plans under the Pennsylvania Act 110. These plans include things like mental health services, crisis intervention services, multimedia access to services, student communication plans, and more.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college-aged individuals worldwide and in the United States, according to the National Institute of Health.
“As a university, that’s a sobering statistic,” said Catherine Feminella, associate vice president and associate dean of students in Widener’s Division of Student Engagement and Transformation. “We have made significant, intentional improvements to our operations and services to support our students’ mental health and well-being at Widener.
“It is gratifying to see the commonwealth and Department of Education recognize our efforts by awarding this designation, and we are deeply committed to evolving and enhancing our work as students’ needs continue to change.”
Widener entered a partnership three years ago with The Jed Foundation (JED), a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among young adults.
As a “JED campus” institution, Widener has reaped benefits for students, faculty, and staff, including a strategic plan customized for the university that guides the institution in implementing tools, strategies, and techniques to improve student mental health and increase the sense of belonging and connection at Widener.
Earlier this calendar year, Widener expanded mental health and well-being efforts through participation in a Steve Fund Equity in Mental Health on Campus initiative, and through services made possible by a $300,000 Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant.
The Steve Fund effort has helped the university look at how it is performing in providing services to students of color, and whether that reflects Widener’s commitment to equity.
The Garrett Lee Smith grant has allowed Widener to proactively emphasize a community-based approach to mental health and well-being.
Through it, the university is providing outreach and public education for students with mental health, suicide and alcohol-use disorders, and training on identifying and making referrals for students with mental health and substance use problems, as well as developing a program of undergraduate student mental health ambassadors.
Widener University is a private institution where an outstanding student experience is provided through an agile, innovative and inclusive approach to learning. Industry-shaping faculty provide close, personal mentorship and share powerful connections that help students build professional networks.
Recognized as one of the Philadelphia region’s leading universities, Widener offers programs and experiences that empower our community of learners to discover and create better futures as scholars, leaders and globally engaged citizens.
