Drug Abuse.
Increased Mood Disorder Symptoms, Perceived Stress, and Alcohol Use among College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evaluates effects of the spring 2020 COVID-19 disruption on student well-being. A sample of 148 students (86.5% female, 49.3% White) completed measures of psychological symptoms, perceived stress, and alcohol use during the spring 2020 semester. Their results were compared to those of 240 students (87.9% female, 64.2% White) who completed the same measures in the fall 2019 semester. Participants in spring 2020 reported more mood disorder symptoms, perceived stress, and alcohol use than did pre-pandemic participants. Worry about COVID-19 was negatively associated with well-being in multiple domains. This analysis explains how universities and practitioners who work with college students can help young adults manage their symptoms and avoid behaviors like risky alcohol use when confronted with stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for Community College Students (BASICCS): Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Web-Conferencing BASICCS and Supporting Automated Text Messages: Examines feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of adapting an evidence-based substance use treatment intervention to remote web conferencing format. The Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) aims to reduce high-risk drinking and associated harms. BASICCS showed promising evidence of the viability of the technology-based format, although the intervention completion rate in the non-treatment-seeking volunteer sample was modest. Preliminary evidence suggests BASICCS shows promise in reducing alcohol use and consequences through web conferencing adaptation.
UPDATED Guidance for Interruptions of Study Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19): Provides updated (June 2020) information from the Federal Student Aid office of the U.S. Department of Education in response to the unique and urgent circumstances of postsecondary institutions as a result of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This update expanded on the Department’s March 5, 2020 guidance and provides additional regulatory flexibilities due to the lawful declaration of the COVID-19 national emergency.
For Low-Income Students, COVID-19 Pandemic Compounds Barriers to Attending and Paying for Higher Education: Describes the obstacles for low-income students in paying for college and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This press release details the findings of the 2020 Indicators of Higher Education Equity in United States.
Leveraging Reset Opportunities to Help Students and Staff Thrive: Presents a set of practices for both school administrators who directly support staff, and for classroom teachers and other staff who directly support students, to step back, clarify priorities, and strategize improvements ( e.g. surrounding major school breaks). The selected practices, identified by the National Center for Safe and Supportive Learning Environments [NCSSLE] based on contemporary research, offers a starting set of practical ideas that individuals or teams of practitioners can use this tool as they consider how they might strengthen and refine current practices.
Classroom Well-Being Information and Strategies for Educators (WISE) Implementation Support Series: Archives eight implementation guidance sessions (July-August 2021) to support the free Classroom WISE training package. Each 1-hour session is recorded, and slides are provided. Classroom WISE has been developed by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network, in partnership with the National Center for School Mental Health. The training package offers evidence-based strategies and skills to engage and support students with mental health concerns in the classroom. In addition to a free online course on mental health literacy for educators and school personnel, a video library and resource collection are also provided.
Social and Emotional Supports for Educators During and After the Pandemic: Asserts that schools an