(PS3-51) Utilization and Evaluation of a Short-term Graduate Student Mental Health Program

In 2023, U.S. graduate students (GS) reported higher rates of anxiety (34.8%), depression (44%), and suicidal thoughts (15%) than their non-student peers. The Graduate Student Mental Health (GSMH) pilot program aims to address these issues by offering affordable, accessible, short-term care, using cognitive-behavioral approaches, focusing on diversity and inclusion, and overcoming barriers like cost, confidentiality concerns, accessibility, and waitlists. This program evaluation describes the demographics and clinical utilization of the GSMH pilot program. 

Emails announcing the GSMH program were sent to the student population. Participants were GS receiving psychological services in the GSMH program from August 2022 – January 2023. De-identified data were collected at baseline and post-treatment to measure depression (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder; GAD-7) via REDCap, alongside data from the electronic health record (EHR). Paired samples t-tests were conducted to compare pre-and-posttest mean change scores of depression and anxiety symptoms. Demographic data included age, gender, ethnicity, and sexual identity. Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 28) predictive analytics software.

From August 2022 to January 2023, six clinical psychologists and one licensed clinical social worker treated GS. Out of 498 students, 78 (15.7%) responded to GSMH emails, 38 initiated treatment, ten were lost to follow-up, and 28 completed treatment and pre-and-posttest measures. Analyses were conducted on the treatment group; N = 28. The sample comprised 57.14% female, with a mean age of 27.04 (SD = 3.13), 32.14% Asian, 28.57% Caucasian, 25% Indian, 7.14% Hispanic, 3.57% Black, and 3.57% Pacific Islander. At baseline, GS reported PHQ-9 scores indicating mild to moderate depression (M = 9.39, SD = 5.51) and moderate anxiety (M = 10.25, SD = 4.57). Statistically significant improvements were found on depression symptom scores from pretest (M = 9.39, SD = 5.51) to posttest (M = 5.07,  SD = 3.98); t(27) = 5.86, p = < .001; and anxiety symptom scores from pretest (M = 10.25,  SD = 4.57) to posttest (M = 5.67, SD = 3.73); t(27) = 5.55, p = < .001. The most prevalent diagnoses were depression (n = 15, 53.57%), followed by anxiety (n = 14, 50%). Comorbid depression and anxiety were (n = 8, 28.57%). The least prevalent disorders were obsessive-compulsive disorder (n = 3, 10.71%), posttraumatic stress disorder (n = 2, 7.14%), adjustment disorder (n = 2, 7.14%), social anxiety disorder (n = 1, 3.57%), trichotillomania (n = 1, 3.57%), agoraphobia (n = 1, 3.57%) panic disorder (n = 1, 3.57%) and borderline personality disorder (n = 1, 3.57%). No GS met the criteria for any psychotic disorder.

GS face significant mental health concerns, underscoring the necessity for accessible, short-term, evidence-based interventions. The GSMH program delivers specialized care to a diverse and underserved student population, stressing the need to develop and evaluate targeted mental health interventions. Furthermore, the GSMH program builds upon existing research on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral approaches in treating depression and anxiety among GS.