Dr. Nick Pinkerton, associate dean of counseling services and wellbeing at Southern Connecticut State University, recently testified before the Connecticut Public Health Committee during a legislative roundtable hosted by State Senator Saud Anwar. The event highlighted the Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) Learning Collaborative, a statewide initiative focused on improving outcomes for young people experiencing first-episode psychosis.
In his remarks, Pinkerton underscored SCSU’s commitment to student mental health as both a moral imperative and a foundation for academic success. He emphasized that college-age students fall within the highest-risk age group for the onset of psychosis, yet early signs are often misunderstood or overlooked.
“Our partnership with STEP is critical,” Pinkerton shared. “By connecting students to resources earlier, we are shortening the pathway to care, reducing stigma, and—quite literally—changing lives.”
SCSU has collaborated with STEP through campus events such as the Wellbeing Fair, media outreach, and direct referrals, ensuring that students and the campus community have access to education, resources, and support. Pinkerton noted that this partnership bridges academic and public health efforts, allowing faculty, staff, and health professionals to be part of a statewide learning system dedicated to continuous improvement.
“Students who may have once suffered in silence are now being identified earlier, connected to support faster, and experiencing real recovery,” he said. “This is a model for how we should respond to mental health needs—through data-driven care, compassion, and collaboration.”
The STEP Learning Collaborative is a partnership between Yale University, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and other agencies, aimed at ensuring rapid access to evidence-based care for individuals with recent-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
