JED | Chadron State College

The JED Foundation

The JED Foundation (JED) works to protect emotional health and prevent teen and young adult suicide, a leading cause of death among young people, and one that is preventable. JED work is guided by an evidenced-based framework, the Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention, originally adapted to the U.S. Air Force’s suicide prevention strategy and honed by two decades of experience. JED’s work centers on three areas of focus to give teens and young adults the skills and support they need to thrive today — and tomorrow: Equipping individuals, Strengthening Schools, and Mobilizing Communities.

JED Campus

JED provides colleges and universities expert support, evidence-based best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect student mental health and prevent suicide. Through the JED Campus and JED Campus Fundamentals programs, JED partners with institutions, like Chadron State College (CSC), to assess community needs, develop a customized strategic plan to build on existing strengths, and implement tools, strategies, and techniques that lead to measurable improvements in student mental health and a more connected community.

CSC participated in the 18-month course and is now a JED Campus Alumni member. CSC embarked on this initiative in the summer of 2023 and completed the program in the spring of 2025. During the process, the Healthy Minds Study was administered to all students, the committee met regularly to discuss campus wide efforts, both existing as well as possibilities, and an internal strategic plan was created using the JED Campus framework to guide ongoing efforts.

The JED Comprehensive Approach

JED’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention is a framework that holistically addresses all aspects of young people’s emotional well-being. It centers interventions with proven success: building supportive environments that reduce risk, increase connection, and make help easier to access.

Seven Thematic Domains

A graphic showing the seven themes

Based on the Comprehensive Approach, JED’s programming draws on data and research to provide tailored recommendations and interventions that account for the unique stressors and specific needs of the youth and communities we serve.

Foster Life Skills
Promote Connectedness and Positive Culture
Recognize and Respond to Signs of Distress
Reduce Barriers to Help-Seeking
Ensure Access to Effective Mental Health Care
Establish Systems of Crisis Management
Reduce Access to Lethal Means

Choose question

Contributing Members

Samantha Hill | Student
Weston Mason | Student
Elijah Huntington | Student
Austen Stephens | Dean- Student Affairs
Dr. Jim Powell | Vice President- Academic Affairs (retired)
Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht | Dean- Professional Studies and Applied Sciences (Interim)
Chelsea Turner | Licensed Student Counselor
Dr. Tara Wilson | Professor- Counselor Education
Chantel Merchen | Director- Office of Academic Success
Dr. Nathan Favaloro | Assistant Professor- Counselor Education
Morgan Cullan | Title IX Coordinator
Kimberly Hernandez | Assistant Director- Human Resources
Channing Jons | Academic Advisor- START Office

Outcomes Achieved

One CSC Licensed Student Counselor certified in Mental Health First Aid training, who is now facilitating periodic training throughout campus for employees and students.
Implementation of virtual "Mental Wellbeing for Students" optional training, available to students each semester powered by Vector Solutions.
Implementation of virtual "Mental Wellbeing for Students" training required for all employees each fall, powered by Vector Solutions.
Increased visibility of CSC Licensed Counselors throughout campus, in conjunction with CSC Wellness:

Coffee with the Counselors events for casual interactions aimed at establishing relationships and rapport with students.
More consistent training opportunities throughout campus for Mental Health First Aid and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) for employees and students.
Collaboration with various mental health and Title IX awareness events.

Continue training student leaders (Residence Life, Eagle Mentors, The Pit, Admissions Ambassadors) in QPR as a recommended best practice.
Implementation of increased detail in counseling session data tracking (maintaining client confidentiality)
Continue matching each incoming student with an Eagle Mentor as a recommended best practice.
Establishment of the Zen Room in the Library for relaxation and reduced stress, sponsored by Student Senate and CSC Wellness.
The START Office (central advising) manual incorporates guidelines for identifying and referring isolated and mentally unwell students to the appropriate resources.
Ongoing promotion of the CARE team for referrals to faculty, staff, and students during fall orientations.
The CSC Counseling & Health Services website can be accessed within two clicks of the homepage as a recommended best practice.
Continued focus on life-skills programming and workshops by the Office of Academic Success and First Year Experience courses as a recommended best practice.
Continued virtual psychiatry, contracted through the University of Nebraska Medical Center, is available to students seeing a CSC Licensed Student Counselor as a recommended best practice.
Naloxone (NARCAN) availability expanded to all AED stations effective spring 2024.
CSC has combined Mental health awareness (represented by green) with sexual assault (represented by teal) awareness for the months of April and May for increased awareness of both topics while students are still in session.
Religious connectedness is a JED Campus area of emphasis, and a variety of religiously affiliated student clubs are available. Opportunities for religious involvement are incorporated into campus visits and new student orientation information.

Outcomes in Progress

Establish a CSC-specific suicide postvention guide.
Continue to promote the topic of mental health and facilitate prevention trainings for employees.
Implementation of a virtual counseling and mental health support platform to better serve online, distance, and out of state students.
Promote means safety through on-campus training, offering deterrents such as gun locks, and promote the Chadron Police Department’s free weapon and ammunition storage.
Establish a medication amnesty/disposal opportunity for students.
CSC Licensed Student Counselors may facilitate counseling internships and practicum opportunities at their discretion for a limited number of CSC Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate students each semester in order to train and support future practitioners in the mental health field.

JED MENTAL HEALTH REASOURCE CENTER