Dr. David Khey and Jada Hector of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will lead a four-year, federally funded campus initiative to create awareness about student mental health and promote resources and services.
The educators will guide the Bridging Awareness and Service Linkages Mental Health and Suicide Project. The interdisciplinary initiative will be carried out with a $489,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The agency is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. UL Lafayette will provide matching funds.
“The idea is to take a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to making our campus community that much more of a healthier place to live and work and study in, and that includes for students in crisis and students who want to be proactive about preventative measures,” Khey explained.
Khey is a professor in the College of Liberal Arts’ Department of Criminal Justice. His teaching and research focuses on areas such as drug policy, drug testing technology and campus crime and safety.
Hector is a visiting assistant professor and licensed professional counselor who teaches courses for the University’s online criminal justice program. She is also director of strategic partnerships for NAMI Southeast Louisiana, the National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter based in New Orleans.
“A large part of the emphasis will be on making sure students – and faculty members, too – know what’s out there on campus and beyond in terms of resources related to mental health and behavioral health, including addiction, and how those resources can be accessed and used together,” Hector explained.
The initiative will bring together experts from across campus, including counseling and testing, education, law enforcement and nursing. The team will conduct needs assessments, administer behavioral health screenings, foster outreach and education, and maintain an integrated crisis and referral network.
The project is part of a broader effort by the University’s Mental Health Task Force. It was established in late 2025 to identify needs, promote resources and help create a culture where mental health is prioritized. The cross-campus task force includes students, University administrators, and faculty and staff members.
Establishing a community stakeholder collaboration plan in conjunction with the task force will also be another key component of the Bridging Awareness and Service Linkages Mental Health and Suicide Project.
“The plan is to expand or develop partnerships with our recovery community and crisis response teams, law enforcement, local or state governmental agencies, organizations focused on mental health – basically any and all linkages to services, resources or outreach that address mental health,” Hector said.
Learn more about mental health services, resources and initiatives at UL Lafayette.
Photo caption: UL Lafayette has received a $489,000 grant from a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency focused on mental health and substance abuse that will help fund a four-year, campuswide initiative to help create awareness about student mental health and promote awareness and services. Photo credit: Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Source: louisiana.edu
