Healthy Minds Network and GRCC logos.
By Kyle Jackson
The Healthy Minds Network, on behalf of Grand Rapids Community College, is currently conducting a campus-wide survey in order to determine the mental wellness of faculty, staff and students.
This survey, named the Healthy Minds Study (HMS), is a 20-minute survey designed to reflect the mental state of GRCC personnel. The data received from the survey is compiled and used to identify potential changes and improvements to better assist the mental health of both staff and students at GRCC.
Melissa Ware, the program director of GRCC’s Center for Counseling and Wellbeing, is assisting with both the distribution and the results of the survey.
“In the Fall of 2024, The Healthy Minds survey is the largest survey of student mental health in the US. We were able to administer the survey due to our partnership at the time with the U of M study team, Mental Health Improvement through Community Colleges (MHICC). As a part of the partnership, they covered the cost of the survey,” Ware stated in an email to The Collegiate. “Once the survey was completed, we held some feedback events for students, staff and faculty to come and hear about the information the survey revealed.”
The survey began on March 25 and will continue until April 15, with periodic emails from the Counseling Center as reminders and access to the survey.
Students who complete the survey will receive a complimentary parking pass, Raider Bucks, and be entered into a weekly raffle drawing with a chance to win AirPods.
The Healthy Minds Network is one of the nation’s research organizations, which has contributed to adolescent and young adult mental health for 15 years.
The HMN has provided the HMS survey to over 675 universities and colleges with more than 935,000 student responses. Recently, the survey was expanded to include staff members.
“It’s important because it can raise awareness and prioritize student mental health needs, help advocate for resources and services, assess needs for programs and services, help us understand more about how existing services and resources are used, examine stigma and identify potential barriers to mental health services,” Ware stated.
The data from GRCC’s 2024 survey can be accessed here.