Set to be fully operational 24/7 starting this fall semester, the online support program signifies a concerted effort to prioritize student well-being and mental health.
Set to be fully operational 24/7 starting this fall semester, the online support program signifies a concerted effort to prioritize student well-being and mental health.
The University of Texas has allocated a sum of $16 million to fortify its student mental health services.
The institution has unveiled a pioneering online initiative aimed at providing complimentary support to students across all its campuses. Set to be fully operational 24/7 starting this upcoming fall semester, the initiative signifies a concerted effort to prioritize student well-being and mental health.
According to a report from Erudera, the program is the cornerstone of a broader financial commitment made by the UT Board of Regents last year.
The investment is designed to not only elevate student mental health and safety but also bolster alcohol and drug education across all academic and health units within the UT system.
Expressing his commitment to students’ health and safety, Kevin Eltife, chair of the UT Board of Regents, affirms, “We are committed to continuous enhancements that improve student health and educational success outcomes”.
The university’s official statement outlines a diverse range of services that enrolled students will be able to access from licensed counselors and professionals located in all 50 states, all at no cost.
Some of the highlights include on-demand mental health and emotional support, scheduled mental health counseling sessions, psychiatric assistance, health mentoring, care navigation, a peer support community, and a wealth of online self-care resources.
This groundbreaking program is being collaboratively managed in partnership with TimelyCare, an esteemed virtual health and well-being provider based in Fort Worth, renowned for its specialization in higher education.
UT System Chancellor James Milliken lauded this pioneering effort, underscoring the institution’s commitment to fostering unfettered access to mental health services.
He emphasized the Board of Regents’ proactive role in addressing the pressing mental health needs of students.
“We know that students’ mental health is tied to their academic achievement and that the demand for access to mental health services for UT students has never been greater,” he said.
A recent joint report by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation revealed that almost half of the students attending American institutions of higher learning contemplated leaving their studies due to mental health apprehensions.
Furthermore, the report underscored that emotional stress was cited as the primary reason for discontinuing education by 69 percent of undergraduates considering such a step.
Boasting a rich history spanning 140 years, the University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With a network encompassing 13 UT institutions, the system caters to an enrollment exceeding 243,000 students.
