University offers comprehensive mental health support for students

AUGUST 31, 2021 — With a new semester kicking off and students getting ready to jump back into their classes, UTSA is committed to supporting the wellbeing of all students to help them achieve academic success. That includes ensuring they have the resources they need to care for their mental health.

“UTSA has invested in our students’ mental health by expanding services and their availability. We provide a variety of services in multiple modalities to provide greater access to support,” said LT Robinson, UTSA senior vice provost of student affairs and dean of students. “Students need more than a one-size-fits-all approach.”

“We are committed to supporting the students’ wellbeing and helping them overcome barriers to academic success.”

Several resources are available to students to help them manage their stress and the uncertainties of the pandemic.

Wellbeing Services has highly-trained, on-campus professionals available by phone, video conference and in-person visits to help with a variety of needs.

“We are committed to supporting the students’ wellbeing and helping them overcome barriers to academic success,” said Melissa Hernandez, interim associate dean of students for wellbeing. “We do this through a variety of mental health services, including individual counseling, group counseling, consultation, crisis helpline and 24/7 text support.”

Wellbeing and emotional support is available to all students through the My Student Support Program (My SSP) app to have a real-time text chat or phone call with a counselor, Hernandez added.

Counselors are also available for virtual or in-person appointments as well as after hours through the Crisis Helpline, which is available 24/7, including when the office is closed, weekends and official UTSA holidays. The Crisis Helpline is available at (210) 458-4140 (option 3) for those who are in need of immediate of urgent assistance.

As many high-profile individuals have acknowledged their mental health challenges—even those who seemingly have great success—it shows everyone has their limits, Hernandez said.

“It is especially concerning for individuals who have lived with mental health challenges. If one does not have the support or resources they need, we encourage them to seek help,” she said. “We will do everything we can to connect them to the resources that will best meet their needs.”

Tips for relieving stress:

• Make time in your schedule for self-care or activities you enjoy such as going for a walk or taking an exercise class with Campus Recreation.
  
  
• Maintain social connection in a way that feels safe.
  
  
• Get some sleep. Turn off electronics one hour before bed and sleep in a space with cool or neutral temperature.
  
  
• Get involved in activities and events that support wellbeing. Check out Active Minds, a student organization on campus dedicated to changing the conversation about mental health.
  
  
• Reach out to someone you trust if you need help connecting to resources or support.  

UTSA is committed to the wellbeing of each member of the campus community and recognizes that numerous factors contribute to overall wellness. In alignment with the university’s commitment to student success, UTSA’s initiative on Enriching Campus Wellbeing is promoting and connecting existing health-related services, modeling best practices, and developing new programming. Though the initiative will focus heavily on mental health at the outset, it will look broadly at eight dimensions of wellbeing—physical, social, spiritual, environmental, financial, occupational, psychological and intellectual—as endorsed by several leading higher education associations.

“The overall goal of the Enriching Campus Wellbeing initiative is to adopt a holistic approach to wellbeing as an institutional priority,” said Tammy Wyatt, vice provost for student success. “Through the initiative’s work, we built a foundation for strategies, services and events that focus on providing an environment where help-seeking is encouraged.”

— Valerie Bustamante