Form Student Instrument Student Instrument Student Instruments

Document I.1
OMB No. 0930-0286
Expiration Date: 05/31/10
Public Burden Statement: An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
The OMB control number for this project is 0930-0286. Public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated to average 1.5 hours per client per year, including the time
for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding
this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions
for reducing this burden, to SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Room
7-1044, Rockville, Maryland, 20857.

Garrett Lee Smith Memorial (GLS) Campus Case Studies

Focus Group Moderator’s Guide - S
(Student Version)
Date: (Today’s Date) ……/……/…………
Site: (Name of Campus) ____________________
Moderator:

__________________________

Instructions for moderator: When to Use: This focus group will be conducted with
representatives of the campus student body. The local program staff will be responsible for
recruiting respondents for this focus group. The questions in this focus group guide are
designed to obtain information about: student risk factors, protective factors, and coping
mechanisms, campus mental health services, and campus attitudes towards mental health.
Administered by: Staff from the Macro International cross-site evaluation team. Completed by:
campus students.

GLS Campus Case Studies 

Student Focus Group Guide 

1.23.2008 

Introduction
Thank you very much for agreeing to participate in this discussion group. My name is [facilitator] and I 
will be leading the discussion today. [Notetaker] is also here to take notes. Before we get started, I want 
to take a few minutes to tell you what to expect from the discussion and to go over a few things with 
you. After that, we will have an opportunity to introduce ourselves. 
As  you  may  recall,  Macro  International  Inc.,  has  been  contracted  by  the  Substance  Abuse  and  Mental 
Health  Services  Administration  (SAMHSA)  to  conduct  the  cross‐site  evaluation  of  the  Campus  Suicide 
Prevention and Early Intervention Program. A special case study examines how campuses implement a 
public  health  approach  to  suicide  prevention.    The  “public‐health  approach”  is  a  multi‐departmental, 
comprehensive strategy that targets risk and protective factors campus‐wide and on an individual basis. 
We  are  interested  in  knowing  about  student’s  perceptions  of  risk  and  protective  factors  related  to 
suicide, campus attitudes towards mental health; as well as the campus services available to you.  
The  specific  purpose  of  this  focus  group  is  to  describe  how  students  talk  about  stress  and  different 
pressures that they experience; how they deal with  these problems, and how they feel about seeking 
support services on campus. We are interested in  knowing your personal experiences, as well as your 
perceptions of other student’s experiences.  
The discussion today is confidential. We will not attribute your name with any comments made or have 
any  identifiable  information  in  any  reports  we  produce.  We  will  keep  your  specific  responses  in 
confidence, and would ask that you respect one another’s privacy in the same way.  
We ask that you be frank and honest about issues of concern and importance to you. We do not expect 
you  to  tell  us  anything  that  you  would  be  uncomfortable  sharing  with  the  group,  nor  do  we  expect 
everyone to answer every question. We are interested in all perspectives and appreciate your input, as it 
will inform other components of this study as well as other communities about practice‐based evidence 
approaches used in systems of care. 

Informed Consent
At this time everyone should have had an opportunity to sign the informed consent. If not, please let us 
know  and  we  will  review  the  informed  consent  with  you  in  private  before  we  begin.  As  the  informed 
consent  indicates,  your  participation  is  completely  voluntary  and  you  may  leave  at  any  time.  Also,  we 
will be audio‐taping the discussion today. Be assured that the tapes will be reviewed to gather data only, 
and will be transcribed without the use of your names.  

Logistics
[Direct participants to the restrooms (if needed). Explain when and how participants will be paid for their 
participation] 

GLS Campus Case Studies 

Student Focus Group Guide 

1.23.2008 

Ground Rules
In  order  to  make  our  discussion  more  comfortable  and  run  smoothly  for  everyone,  there  are  a  few 
ground rules that we will need to follow: [Posted on flip chart] 
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Everyone’s input is important and I will work hard to make sure everyone has a chance to speak. 
Allow one person to speak at a time. 
Please avoid side conversations. 
I may need to cut a discussion short in the interest of time. 
Show respect to everyone at all times. It is ok to disagree with someone’s opinion. 
Please turn off all cell phones. 
All responses are confidential, and the names of others who are participating in the discussion is 
also confidential, so feel free to speak your mind. 
Everyone is on a first name basis, so please use only your first name. 

Do you have any questions before we begin? Let’s start with introductions. Please tell us your first 
name. 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. While the saying goes that “college is the best time of your life,” it also can be very stressful and 
sometimes lonely.  What are some of the hardest things about being at college? 
a. What are some of the things that are most stressful? 
b. What pressure do you feel to “fit in?” 
c. What things do you deal with that other students, who aren’t [INSERT GROUP HERE (from 
other countries, athletes, graduate students, Greek life students, first‐year students, LGBT)] 
don’t have to? 

2. What do you think students do when they feel stressed, or depressed, or lonely?   
a.    What do you think are the most common ways of dealing with stress? Why? 
b. What do you think are the most common ways of dealing with depression? Why? 

3. How would you know if a friend was suicidal? What would they say or do? 
a.   In this situation, what would you say or do? 

4. If you were thinking of suicide, what are some things that would keep you alive? 
a. What would be the things that would give you hope? 

5. How do you and your peers feel about seeking mental health services on campus? 
a. Why might there be a stigma attached to seeking help? 
b. Why may there not be a stigma attached to seeking help? 
c. In your opinion, what are reasons why someone might seek mental health services? 

GLS Campus Case Studies 

Student Focus Group Guide 

1.23.2008 

d. How does the “cowboy culture” in Wyoming affect students’ opinions of seeking mental 
health services? 

6. How do you think most students view the counseling center on campus? 
a. What are some of the reasons why someone would or wouldn’t use the counseling center? 
b. Do you think that most students know that there IS a counseling center on campus? Why or 
why not? 

7. In your opinion, what percentage of students visit the counseling center for services? 
a. Actually, [insert annual percentage of students receiving services here] percent of students 
on your campus visited the counseling center each year.  Does that number surprise you? 
Why or why not? 

8. What are some of the other programs and services on campus that are available to help you if you 
were feeling stressed, or lonely, or depressed? 
a. How did you hear about those? 
b. Which of these services would you be most likely to use? 

9. What do you do to take care of yourself on a daily basis? 

GLS Campus Case Studies 

Student Focus Group Guide 

1.23.2008 

Document J.2
OMB No. 0930-0286
Expiration Date: 05/31/10

Public Burden Statement: An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection
of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this project is 09300286. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per client per year, including
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to SAMHSA Reports Clearance
Officer, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044, Rockville, Maryland, 20857.

Garrett Lee Smith Memorial (GLS) Campus Case Studies

Campus Case Study Interview – S
(Student Version)
Date: (Today’s Date) ……/……/…………
Site: (Name of Campus) ____________________
Interviewer:

__________________________

Instructions for interviewer: When to Use: This qualitative interview will be
conducted with an identified representative of a student member of residence life
or a mental health related advisory board. The local program staff will be
responsible for identifying respondents for this interview. The questions in this
interview are designed to obtain information about: student risk and protective
factors, campus mental health services, and campus attitudes towards mental
health. Administered by: Staff from the Macro International cross-site evaluation
team. Completed by: students on campus who are employed as resident
advisors or are members of a campus mental health/suicide prevention advisory
board.

We are interviewing you today because of your role [as a residence assistant, or on the {insert
name of Campus organization or committee here}], and are interested in your perspective on
campus attitudes around mental health, various student behaviors; as well as the offices and
efforts on campus that promote student wellness.
1. To begin, could you tell me about the responsibilities of this role/ organization/committee?
Probe: Can you give me some examples?
a. What is your role on in the organization or committee?
b. Who are other campus community members represented on the committee?
2. We’re interested in learning more about student mental health and well-being. Do you think
that there is a difference between the two? What is it?
a. How the would the school officially define student mental health and well-being?
b. Is there any difference in general campus attitudes towards mental health as
opposed to student wellbeing?
I’m going to ask you about a series of different student behaviors that might cause concern, and
ask you to give me a student perspective on them. To be clear, I’m not asking about your
personal experience, but your general perceptions of student attitudes towards each of these
things.
3. First, I’d like to discuss alcohol and drug use. I’m not talking about casual recreational use.
I’m asking about binge drinking, drinking to the point that a person passes out, frequent use
of drugs like marijuana, or any use of harder drugs like crystal meth or heroin.
a. What are the drinking behaviors that are generally accepted by students on
campus? How does a typical student use alcohol?
b. What are the general attitudes around drug use? Are there some drugs that are
more accepted than others?
4. What about violence? This could be anything from a fist-fight, to dating violence, to sexual
assault. What kinds of violence are you aware of on your campus?
a. Are some types of violence more typical than others? Why do you think that is?
5. Are any groups on campus more likely to be targeted with violence or harassment? For
example, racial or ethnic minority groups or LGBTQ students?
6. Now I want to ask you a little bit about student mental health. Do you ever hear people
talking about their concerns about depression suspected in others or themselves?
a. What other mental health concerns do you think students might have?
7. How do you think mental health issues are generally perceived on campus? Do you think that
there is a stigma around depression and other mental health issues, or do you think that
generally people are accepting of them?
8. I’m going to ask you about different situations that students might experience, and what you
might recommend they do about them.
a. If you had a friend who had a drug or alcohol problem, what would your advice to
them be?
i. What places on campus would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?
b. What if your friend was a victim of violence or harassment? Would you advise
them to get help?
i. What places on campus would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?

c.

If you had a friend who seemed really depressed? What would you do in that
situation?
i. What places on campus would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?
d. What if they were suicidal?
i. What places on campus would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?
e. What if they were really stressed about school or money? What would you tell
them to do?
i. What places on campus would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?

9. Do you think that most students know about the counseling center on campus? Why? Why
not?
10. What are some reasons why a student would not go to the counseling center, even if they
needed to?
a. Any other reasons?
11. How easy is it to get services at the counseling center?
a. Is it in a convenient location?
b. How long do you have to wait for an appointment?
c. Is it private and confidential?
d. Anything else?
12. Can you think of a time when you were concerned that someone might be thinking about
suicide? Can you describe the experience and what happened?
If NO: can you remember ever hearing someone else express concern about a student?
What happened?
13. How would a student report a mental health concern about another student?
14. What are some of the different ways that the campus tries to make students aware of things
that they or their friends may be struggling with, like depression?
Probe: What about drinking and drug use?
Probe: dating violence or sexual assault?
Probe: suicide?
a. Which of these things are most successful at reaching students?
b. Do you have any recommendations for other things that they could do?
15. Do you think that your campus listens to students, and addresses the things that they are
concerned about, particularly as related to student wellness?
a. Probe: Can you give me an example of a way that they take students concerns
into consideration?
16. Do you have anything else to add, that would help me get a picture of how student mental
health and wellness is approached on your campus?
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. This information will be combined with
responses from other individuals on your campus, and a report of this case study will be
produced in 6 to 8 months. If you have any questions, or anything that you would like to add,
please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Document J.4
OMB No. 0930-0286
Expiration Date: 05/31/10
Public Burden Statement: An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection
of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this project is 09300286 reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per client per year, including the
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to SAMHSA Reports Clearance
Officer, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044, Rockville, Maryland, 20857.

Garrett Lee Smith Memorial (GLS) Campus Case Studies

Campus Case Study Interview – CF
(Case Finder Version)
Date: (Today’s Date) ……/……/…………
Site: (Name of Campus) ____________________
Interviewer:

__________________________

Instructions for interviewer: When to Use: This qualitative interview will be
conducted with an identified representative of the campus staff. The local
program staff will be responsible for identifying respondents for this interview.
The questions in this interview are designed to obtain information about: student
risk and protective factors, campus mental health services, and campus attitudes
towards mental health. Administered by: Staff from the Macro International crosssite evaluation team. Completed by: campus staff members who are in regular
contact with students and regularly identify and refer students for mental health
services.

1. One of the things that I want to talk to you today about is student mental health and
general wellbeing. Do you think that there is a difference between the two? What is it?
a. Is there any difference in general campus attitudes towards mental health as
opposed to overall wellbeing?
b. How do you think mental health issues are generally perceived on campus? Do
you think that there is a stigma around depression and other mental health
issues, or do you think that generally people are accepting of them?
2. Tell me about the students at [insert campus name]. What is unique about them?
a. Are there any student risk behaviors that you are aware of?
3. Are you aware of any students being more at risk for abusing drugs or alcohol than
others?
4. What about violence? This could be anything from a fist-fight, to dating violence, to
sexual assault. What types of violence are you aware of on your campus?
a. Are some types of violence more typical than others?
5. Are any groups on campus more likely to be targeted with violence or harassment? For
example, racial or ethnic minorities, or LGBTQ students?
6. Are there any groups of students that are more likely to use violence?
7. Are you aware of any prevention programs that happen on campus? Could you give me
an overview of these programs?
a. What about drinking and drug use?
b. Dating violence or sexual assault?
c. Mental health?
d. Suicide?
8. What efforts have been most effective? How do you know?
a. Which programs have been most popular with students? Why?
b. Do you feel these programs have reached the intended populations? Why or why
not?
9. Where could faculty and staff get information on how to identify and refer students who
may need additional support?
10. What policies and procedures are in place for students, faculty, and staff to share mental
health concerns about others on campus?
11. Do you ever come into contact with students that you feel should be referred to services
on or off campus?
a. What are the behaviors that would make you concerned?
12. I’m going to ask you about some of the different situations that students might
experience, and what you would recommend to them if you became aware.
a. If you had a student who had a drug or alcohol problem, what would your advice
to them be?
i. Are there places on campus that would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?
b. What if the student was a victim of violence or harassment? Would you advise
them to get help?
i. Are there places on campus that would help them with this?

ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?
c. If you had a student who seemed really depressed? What would you do in that
situation?
i. Are there places on campus that would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?
d. What if they were suicidal?
i. Are there places on campus that would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?
e. What if they were really stressed about school or money? What would you tell
them to do?
i. Are there places on campus that would help them with this?
ii. How likely do you think they would be to seek services here? Why/Why
not?
13. What have you observed to be student’s attitudes around help-seeking?
a. Are some helping services more acceptable to students than others, for example
academic support as opposed to counseling services? Why?
14. What is the process for students seeking mental health care?
a. Is it easy or difficult?
b. What are some of the barriers on campus to students receiving mental health
services?
15. Are there any needs that you have observed in students that aren’t currently being met
through services on campus?
16. What’s the most challenging thing about your work?
17. What makes your job easier?
18. Anything else you would like to share?

Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. This information will be combined with
responses from other individuals on your campus, and a report of this case study will be
produced in 6 to 8 months. If you have any questions, or anything that you would like to add,
please don’t hesitate to contact me.