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Kettering Health joined local health organizations and schools to launch a College Age Intensive Outpatient Program (CA IOP) on World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2025). Based at the Kettering Health Behavioral Medical Center, the program provides mental health support for undergraduate students ages 18–24 who need more support than traditional outpatient therapy provides. The new CA IOP promotes positive behavioral change through individual and group therapy, personalized care plans, medication management and family counseling. Students participate in 9 to 12 hours of weekly group sessions and typically complete the program in four to six weeks. Partners celebrated the launch, including leaders from Kettering Health, Premier Health, Dayton Children’s Hospital, Kettering College, the University of Dayton, Sinclair Community College, Wright State University, the University of Dayton Men’s Basketball program, and Jay’s Light Fund.

Why We Did It

The program was created to fill a gap in mental health support for college students. In her speech, Dr. Kelly Blankenship, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Mental Health at Dayton Children's Hospital, noted that college students often fall through the cracks of mental health care due to the transitional phase of life they are in. As young adults, some college students may still be connected to pediatric providers, whose mental health services are designed for children and not fully aligned with the needs of college-aged patients. As a result, young adults managing anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts often lack consistent care. In response, the program was designed to provide young adults with coping skills they can use throughout their college years.