Morehead State University
Highlighting the Successes and Challenges of Developing a Campus Wellness Program with Two Illustrative Vignettes: MSU4U Social Media Campaign and MSU4U International Support Group: STUDY 1 (Cordle): Developing a Social Media Campaign for a University Suicide Prevention Program
Institution
Morehead State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Tara Holaday
Abstract
In an average year, only 3% of Morehead State University’s student population utilizes counseling services. The academic and social success, as well as, the safety of MSU students is dependent on greater access to services that promote resiliency, teach coping skills, and provide crisis support. Websites and smart phone applications allow students to access vast amounts of information and utilize a diverse array of services at all times and at any location on the MSU campus. There is no other platform that has the capability of engaging a larger number or broader assortment of students. Therefore, the development of a social media campaign was a crucial component of our suicide prevention efforts. We first engaged in strategic planning. We held focus groups and researched other university efforts to ensure the effectiveness of our approach. We sponsored a student contest to create our program logo and project title. Student engagement was an essential component at all stages. The driving goals of the campaign were to ensure that students developed awareness of the issue of suicide and information on how to take action to prevent suicide deaths. Certain messages about suicide can increase the likelihood that at-risk individuals will engage in suicidal behavior so we consistently referenced guidelines from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center to avoid propagating unsafe messaging. Positive messaging was crucial to furthering our suicide prevention goals. We encouraged students to take our Here4U pledge. Pictures of students taking the pledge were posted throughout our social media platforms and on our program website. Students needed to realize that there were members of the MSU community committed and prepared to provide assistance to those in emotional distress. Contests, daily posting, and frequent evaluation of audience engagement with our various media outlets were also essential to the success of our project.
Highlighting the Successes and Challenges of Developing a Campus Wellness Program with Two Illustrative Vignettes: MSU4U Social Media Campaign and MSU4U International Support Group: STUDY 1 (Cordle): Developing a Social Media Campaign for a University Suicide Prevention Program
In an average year, only 3% of Morehead State University’s student population utilizes counseling services. The academic and social success, as well as, the safety of MSU students is dependent on greater access to services that promote resiliency, teach coping skills, and provide crisis support. Websites and smart phone applications allow students to access vast amounts of information and utilize a diverse array of services at all times and at any location on the MSU campus. There is no other platform that has the capability of engaging a larger number or broader assortment of students. Therefore, the development of a social media campaign was a crucial component of our suicide prevention efforts. We first engaged in strategic planning. We held focus groups and researched other university efforts to ensure the effectiveness of our approach. We sponsored a student contest to create our program logo and project title. Student engagement was an essential component at all stages. The driving goals of the campaign were to ensure that students developed awareness of the issue of suicide and information on how to take action to prevent suicide deaths. Certain messages about suicide can increase the likelihood that at-risk individuals will engage in suicidal behavior so we consistently referenced guidelines from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center to avoid propagating unsafe messaging. Positive messaging was crucial to furthering our suicide prevention goals. We encouraged students to take our Here4U pledge. Pictures of students taking the pledge were posted throughout our social media platforms and on our program website. Students needed to realize that there were members of the MSU community committed and prepared to provide assistance to those in emotional distress. Contests, daily posting, and frequent evaluation of audience engagement with our various media outlets were also essential to the success of our project.