ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ«

The ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« has launched a comprehensive Mental Health Initiative to significantly expand student mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In August of 2020, Governor Kemp allocated funds from the Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) of the federal CARES Act specifically to support mental health and student support services within ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ«.

While ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« students have proven to be remarkably resilient during the pandemic, with higher academic achievement and a record number of degrees awarded, the need for additional on-campus mental health resources has been heightened by the unique challenges students face right now. The ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« Mental Health Task Force, appointed in 2019, has worked to identify areas of need across ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« and recommend how to immediately expand mental health support services for students with the GEER funding allocation.

The Mental Health Initiative will expand ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« clinical resources to ensure every student has access to telephonic psychiatric care and clinical counseling services. Expanded services will also offer in-person counseling options through a partnership with Christie Campus Health, a 24/7 hotline and well-being support programs. Additional funds will be set aside to create a ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« Mental Health Consortium, which will develop a long-term service model for ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óȫ’s 26 institutions.

In recognition of the unique needs of each ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« campus, mini-grants will be made available to campuses to support mental health and wellness. These funds can be used to establish new technology resources, increase campus programming or enhance communications.