Benefits from Participating in Survey-based Studies

Using validated measures, HMN’s survey research provides a detailed look at the prevalence of mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, disordered eating, suicidal ideation, self-injury), service utilization, and related behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge among a representative sample of students at participating institutions. HMN’s survey research has a special emphasis on understanding help-seeking behavior, examining stigma, knowledge, and other potential barriers to mental health service utilization. HMN data can be used in numerous ways on college and university campuses:

• To strengthen grant applications (e.g., SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith grants)
• To advocate for mental health services and programs on campus
• To evaluate existing programs (e.g., reductions in stigma following a major campaign)
• To assess need for programs and services (see here for example of the memo on the economic case we customize and provide for each school)
• To raise awareness of mental health and campus resources
• To make comparisons with peer institutions

To learn more about the data reporting process and HMS data-deliverables, visit our Data Reporting page.

Participating campuses report using HMS data to…:

“…help determine types of support services that our students need and training for our campus community.”

“…educate the [name of school] community about the state of the student mental health on our campus. We also have used the data to help us develop training for faculty and staff on how to intervene with a student in distress, and it has also helped inform our efforts to create outreach programs focused on building resiliency.”

“…present to Board of Trustees on profile of our students’ profile of attitudes, behaviors, etc. regarding mental health as well as comparisons of same [measures] with students internationally.”

“…[give] presentations on the results to groups of faculty and staff. [Also] having discussions with the President and Provost about the results and implications, which impacted their understanding of the issues.”

“…educate and create awareness for staff members, which has helped us advocate for new programs and campus culture change.”