Participatory Action Research and planning in college student mental health promotion: Design and implementation of a multi-method study exploring resiliency resources

Background: Recent research reports increased mental health distress on college campuses. Yet many undergraduates refuse traditional mental health services, a problem increased for ethnically and racially diverse and commuter students. Purpose: This study reports findings from multi-method, participatory action research identifying risk factors and resiliency resources for diverse undergraduates on an urban commuter college campus, to inform mental health promotion program design incorporating culturally meaningful, student-centered resiliency resources. Significance: The study applied ecological models and participatory methods to mental health promotion, expanding sites for delivering resiliency resources and guiding campus-wide mental health and wellness initiatives. Methodology: Steps in this student-partnered research project included campus-wide forums, needs assessments, an anonymous online self-report survey of academic, realistic and life-events stressors, personal, familial, cultural and community resiliency resources used and barriers experienced; and a participatory-action research seminar including students in recovery from major mental illness and gender-based violence who reviewed data and developed recommendations. Results: The survey results (N=960; 50% non-white participants) found students experienced high rates of realistic and life events stressors, with 30% reporting Hopkins symptom checklist clinical equivalent means. The research identified common stressors including high rates of exposure to violence, economic and academic stress, discrimination, and barriers to services access. Resilience resources at multiple levels of student ecologies, including family supports, ethnic-identity and spirituality, were found to significantly protect mental health outcomes from adverse consequences of stressors. Conclusions/Recommendations: Students recommended a peer resource navigators program emphasizing empowerment and focused on educational success, and participated in its design and implementation.