UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — By offering a wealth of mental health resources, Penn State’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) serves a crucial role for the University community, both in May — marked as National Mental Health Awareness Month — and during the entire year.
For example, CAPS's Red Folder initiative helps faculty, staff, student leaders and other campus leaders recognize, respond effectively to, and refer students who are experiencing varying levels of stress.
CAPS launched the Red Folder initiative in 2020 to guide members of campus communities in becoming agents of change for student mental health. The initiative doesn’t ask faculty or staff members to take on the role of a mental health professional; rather, it gives people in the position to offer direct assistance, access to resources and best practices, so they can feel informed and empowered if the occasion arises.
The initiative offers printed and online materials that detail three steps — Recognize, Respond and Refer — to guide Penn State faculty and staff who engage with Penn State students. The steps are further broken down by how they might apply for students experiencing low (green), moderate (yellow), or high (red) levels of stress.
“Simply said, these skills could save a life," said Natalie Hernandez DePalma, a 2010 Penn State graduate and the senior director of CAPS, "and that alone underscores the value of the Red Folder.”