Physical Activity Wellness Course For College Students To Heighten Mental Health Awareness

Suicide is the third leading cause of death on college campuses (CDC, 2009). Research has shown that physical activity can help enhance mental health and be utilized as a coping skill for diagnosed mental illness. The purpose of this graduate project is to create a physical activity and seeking safety tools curriculum to heighten mental health awareness for college students at a four-year public university. This project includes a 16- week curriculum designed to meet twice a week for 90 minutes per class. It will include a physical activity session followed by discussion using eight different seeking safety topics. Seeking safety tools are beneficial for all individuals even if they do not meet formal substance abuse or PTSD criteria. A physical activity interest survey was created to help students design an individualized movement plan to incorporate both in and beyond the classroom. This survey will also help the instructor plug in what will be done for physical activity during each lesson. Expected outcomes are that this physical activity and safety tools curriculum will heighten mental health awareness and contribute to students' overall success in college. Further research can include sending the curriculum to colleagues for expert feedback. Once this feedback is received the curriculum can be refined and tested in an undergraduate course with special attention to gender differences and class sizes. Additionally, an instructor's manual could be created to assist university instructors in delivering this content.