Recognize and Refer: Engaging the Greek Community in Active Bystander Training

Over the past decade, college students are experiencing mental health crises at higher rates, which reflects a serious and concerning national trend. Notably, suicide is the second leading cause of death in college students. More students need professional clinical intervention in order to be safe in the university setting than ever before and Student Affairs administrators are charged with attending to the mental health needs of the students. Approximately 11% of college students are affiliated with the Greek community nationwide, including those in Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), National Panhellenic Council (NPC), and United Fraternity and Sorority Council (UFSC). Students in this community have been identified as a particularly at-risk population for suicide. Peer-to-peer health education is increasingly recognized as a valuable approach to disseminating information to college students. The current quasi-experimental designed study aimed to diminish reservations about engaging in help-seeking behavior within the Greek community by having fraternity and sorority members attend a 60-minute workshop designed to teach ways to recognize signs of emotional distress and how to refer themselves and/or friends to professional clinical services. Results suggested that those who attended the Recognize & Refer workshop were more likely to seek out mental health services and refer friends in need than those who did not attend the workshop. These results were sustained at the three-month follow-up. Recommendations for Student Affairs administrators are discussed.