172 Journal of College Counseling ■ Fall 2005 ■ Volume 8 A Comprehensive Model for Addressing Severe and Persistent Mental Illness on Campuses: The New Diversity Initiative James Michael Nolan, Stephanie J. W. Ford, Victoria E. Kress, Renee I. Anderson, and Theresa C. Novak In response to the increase in severity and prevalence of student-presented mental disorders on college campuses, a comprehensive campuswide identification and intervention program titled “The New Diver- sity Initiative” was developed to help college counselors and student personnel staff address students with severe mental disorders. Details of the program and recommendations for college counselors interested in implementing such a program are provided. R ecent research indicates that increasing numbers of students entering college are diagnosed with or will experience the symptomatology of a severe mental disorder (Benton, Robertson, Tseng, Newton, & Benton, 2003). College counseling centers’ staffs have been faced with an ever- increasing level of severity among their presenting clients; these problems dealt not only with relationship and developmental issues but also with suicidal ideation, per- sonality disorders, and sexual assault (Benton et al., 2003). The incidence of depres- sion has recently doubled, the incidence of suicidal students tripled, and the number of sexual assault cases presented at college counseling centers has quadrupled (Benton et al., 2003). Furthermore, Johns Hopkins University reports treating approxi- mately 40% of the undergraduates enrolled before they graduate (Gose, 2000). This much discussed and well-documented increase in psychological and psychi- atric problems among students has sometimes left college counselors overwhelmed and uncertain as to how to address these students’ needs (Amada, 1999; Caulfield, 2001; Gibson, 2000; Sharpe, 2002). As college counselors attempt to meet the increasing needs of this growing population of college students, they often struggle with the paucity of information and available resources (Holleran, Pascale, & Fraley, 1988). The research literature on this topic is in its infancy and provides little practical help for counselors wanting to address the complex set of challenges presented by this new diversity of students. In addition to the documented rise in severe mental illness on college campuses, high profile media cases, such as that faced by the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology (Pavella, 2002), and recent national conferences (e.g., en loco parentis and legal liability concerning calling or not calling parents) have caused many college counselors to pause and consider their role in managing these student issues. The National Survey of Counseling Center Directors (Gallagher, 2003) recently reflected heightened concern on the part of counseling center directors regarding the perceived increase in prevalence and severity of students with mental illness on their campuses. James Michael Nolan, Health and Counseling Services, and Stephanie J.W. Ford, Psychology Department, Baldwin-Wallace College;Victoria E. Kress and Renee I. Anderson, Department of Counseling,Youngstown State University;Theresa C. Novak, College of Education, Kent State University. James Michael Nolan and Stephanie J. W. Ford are now at the School of Psychology,Walden University. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to James Michael Nolan, School of Psychology,Walden University, 3360 La Avenida de San Marcos, Sante Fe, NM 87507 (e-mail: docwahoo@yahoo.com).