Lynchburg, TN (02/19/2024) — International Honors Society Phi Theta Kappa recently published the Mental Health Education Project by Motlow's PTK chapter in the 2023 edition of their Change Makers Journal of Student Leadership. Motlow's PTK students aimed to increase campus awareness of mental health issues that students face and access to mental health support. They also analyzed Motlow's approach to providing mental health resources to students and concluded that Motlow's "top priority is to support students' mental health so that they will succeed academically and will recognize opportunities to achieve their personal and professional goals."

The group collaborated with one of Motlow's licensed therapists to host two Zoom sessions in the spring of 2022 to inform Motlow students about the mental health resources available to them. Additionally, the PTK students created a survey asking students at Motlow about their knowledge of mental health, how the Zoom sessions impacted them, and what they believed Motlow could do to improve their approach to addressing student mental health struggles.

This three-year project not only created a stronger relationship between the institution and their chapter of PTK but also increased employees' understanding of their students' mental health needs. Data from the surveys stated that 70 percent of students were likely or very likely to try Motlow's counseling services and that 90 percent of students who attended the Zoom sessions would recommend or share the information with others.

Phi Theta Kappa boasts a total of 3.5 million members, making Motlow's recognition in their publication an impressive achievement. According to Dayron Deaton-Owens, Associate Professor and PTK advisor, "The Motlow Phi Theta Kappa chapter has been included in the Change Makers Journal and received a rare perfect score on the College Project hallmark award entry. Fellow advisor Misty Griffith and I led this project. The advisors and students worked over three years, researching, editing, writing, and implementing this project. We spent much of this time providing hands-on student mentoring by helping them meet deadlines, develop their soft skills, and improve their communication with administration."

Motlow President Dr. Michael Torrence added, "This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and leadership exhibited by our Phi Theta Kappa chapter members. Their commitment to the mission of Phi Theta Kappa and their efforts in making a positive impact on our campus have been truly commendable."

Motlow is proud of the students and faculty who worked on this project and helped to make the College's campuses better environments for students. Read the newest edition of the PTK Change Makers Journal at ptk.org/change-makers-journal/. Visit Motlow's website to learn more about PTK and how students can get involved.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at motlow.edu.

Pictured, from left to right: Raymond Morton, Dayron Deaton-Owens, Gregg Garrison, Misty Griffith, Rob Keel, Ashley Portillo, and Alejandra Sofia Amaya at the 2023 PTK International Convention where they received awards for the Mental Health Education Project as well as other works.