If you are having trouble staying in college, one of the things they'll tell you to do at Ulster County Community College is "go fly a kite." That's right. Kite flying is one of the many techniques they use in their Academic Coaching for Educational Success (ACES) program to help students with mental illness get through periods of stress. Kite flying distracts people from their problems and changes slumping, negative-thinking postures to standing-straight, positive-thinking postures. Flying a kite helps people break away from stress and feelings of failure.

The ACES program currently helps 72 students who suffer from mental illness cope with the demands of going to college. At Ulster County Community College in Stone Ridge, New York, the ACES program has been helping students for 7 years. Sandra Bollin, the director, knows what it's all about. She suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder and participated in the ACES program when she was a student.

Students in the ACES program range in age from 19 to 58 and cope with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders. Some students have been addicted to drugs, some have even spent time in jail. Approximately three quarters of the ACES students have been on Social Security or disability. An estimated three quarters are taking medication, most are seeing a psychiatrist, and most face financial difficulties.

Considering the difficulties students with mental illness encounter when they enter college, the ACES program has an impressive track record. Fifteen of the 72 ACES students no longer need the program; however, it is always open to them. Of the 25 graduates from last year, 14 are studying at 4-year colleges and 10 are working. The ACES key to success is helping people think of themselves as students, not as patients.

Stress, a big factor in college life, looms even larger for people with mental illnesses. Bollin helps students through periods of stress with a variety of techniques, including talking it out; taking a walk; taking slow, deep breaths; visualization; muscle relaxation exercises; and the previously mentioned kite flying.

The ACES program does not offer treatment. Psychiatrists and psychotherapists take care of students' mental health with medication and counseling. Sandra Bollin helps students' college life with a long list of services: tutoring and teaching students how to study; facilitating workshops on decreasing anxiety and improving coping skills; helping fill out admission and financial aid forms; helping students and teachers get along together; and enhancing social and communication skills for people who may have been lonely and isolated before they entered college. Bollin also assists with practical needs such as driving students to medical appointments and referring them to housing specialists or other community services.

A remarkable program, ACES helps students graduate. And graduate they do. Of the 7 graduates this year, 4 are going to 4-year colleges and 3 are looking for jobs. If you know someone who needs help staying in college, a program such as ACES can help. See the following list for further information.

Help students with mental illness stay in college

For information on college support programs, program development, or resource referrals, please call:

Albany, NY
Northeast Career Planning
518-438-3445

Boston, MA
Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
617-353-3549

Chicago, IL
Thresholds Community Scholar Program
312-337-4258

Quincy, MA
CAUSE: Consumers and Alliances United for Supported Education
617-626-9098

San Mateo, CA
College of San Mateo
650-574-6193

Tacoma, WA
Pierce Community College
253-756-2767

Troy, NY
Northeast Career Planning
518-273-0818

There is no national list; however, a list will be coming soon. For nationwide college program support information, please call:

Hawaii
University of Hawaii's Center on Disability Studies
808-222-8491
dotty@hawaii.edu