Southern Illinois University (SIU) is taking significant steps to address mental health crises on campus with the launch of a new, dedicated team to support students in need. A $290,000 grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education will fund the training and development of a specialized crisis response team, aimed at providing immediate care for students during emergency situations.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance student mental health services in line with the state’s 2020 Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act, which mandates universities to improve mental health care and preventative measures for students. SIU’s new program, called CAPS Plus, is designed to connect students—particularly those from vulnerable populations—with timely support and appropriate treatment resources.
With rising rates of anxiety and depression among students, SIU’s approach addresses the urgent need for effective mental health interventions. According to the 2024 Healthy Minds study, approximately one-third of students report moderate to severe anxiety or depression. However, connecting students with the right resources at the right time remains a significant challenge.
A 2023 survey from Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse found that a third of students don’t know where to seek help on campus during a mental health crisis, and many are hesitant to seek professional support, preferring to manage their challenges privately.
To address these issues, SIU has partnered with the Department of Public Safety, Counseling and Psychological Services, and external partners to create a collaborative team. This team will now respond to mental health-related incidents on campus, with mental health professionals working alongside law enforcement officers to assist students in crisis.
“Those in crisis may benefit from intervention services not specifically provided by a law enforcement agency,” explained Benjamin Newman, SIU’s director of public safety and chief of police.
Research shows that police involvement in mental health crises can often worsen the situation, particularly for individuals from marginalized communities who may have a deep mistrust of law enforcement. By deploying trained mental health professionals, SIU aims to provide compassionate, specialized support, reducing the likelihood of harmful escalations.
As part of the initiative, team members undergo training in crisis intervention, learning to identify signs of mental illness and using de-escalation techniques to manage tense situations. Dispatchers are also trained to recognize mental health-related calls, ensuring that the appropriate response team is alerted.
In addition to the grant funding, SIU has implemented a new mental health and wellness fee to ensure ongoing access to these vital services for students in the upcoming academic year.
SIU’s new initiative is part of a growing trend, with other institutions such as the University of Washington, the University of Michigan, and Rutgers University also adopting similar mental health crisis response teams.
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