Colleges Push for Mental Health First Aid Training

September 30, 2026 - 07:12

Growing up in rural southeastern North Carolina, Alicia Freeman witnessed a troubling pattern. People in her community struggled with mental health and substance use issues, yet few resources existed to help them. That experience left a lasting mark.

Freeman, who has worked at UNC Chapel Hill since 2019, said watching neighbors and friends go without proper care shaped her understanding of what many students bring with them to campus. Some arrive from places where therapy was scarce, stigma was high, and asking for help felt impossible.

State health officials now want colleges and universities to respond. They are backing mental health first aid training, a program designed to teach faculty, staff, and students how to recognize warning signs and respond appropriately. The approach mirrors traditional first aid, but focuses on emotional and psychological crises rather than physical injuries.

Supporters say the training helps people intervene before small problems become emergencies. Participants learn to start conversations, listen without judgment, and connect someone to professional support. On campuses where counseling centers are stretched thin, these skills can fill gaps.

The push comes as demand for student mental health services continues to rise across the state. Officials argue that training more people in these basic techniques could save lives and reduce pressure on overburdened clinics.