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Student Mental Health Support Enhanced by Counseling Partnership

Already challenging, student life feels even more daunting when mental health hurdles arise.

Bringing critical mental health services to an “everyday” place, students can now schedule sessions with a professional counselor in Evans Library. The service is part of an important partnership between University Health Services and Texas A&M University Libraries.

The counseling office at Evans represents one of eight on the College Station campus, along with locations at the Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth, College of Dentistry in Dallas and the Higher Education Center at McAllen. Appointments at any of these locations may be scheduled by visiting tx.ag/UHSappointment.

Students who have utilized counseling services at the Libraries note its convenient location. Others say they are more likely to stay at the library and study if they have an early counseling appointment.

University Health Services and the Libraries believe that offering counseling at a location considered a “home away from home” for students will increase student comfort in accessing mental health services. University Health Services also provided training for Libraries staff to aid in identifying and connecting support to any students who may appear in distress. 

“Our relationship with University Health Services has been a perfect fit,” Julie Mosbo Ballestro, university librarian and assistant provost, said. “I want students to think of the Libraries as a main resource hub for all their needs, including mental and emotional health. If those needs aren’t met first, it makes it very difficult for students to accomplish the rest of their goals.”

Nathan Ellison, a licensed professional counselor at University Health Services, said the added convenience of embedded counselors has seemed to reduce stress among students. He said University Health Services counselors now are strategically located throughout campus in schools, colleges and population hubs, giving counselors a direct connection to students and a better understanding of the unique stressors they face.

“Our goal is to connect students with the help they need, where they need it,” Ellison said. “Having embedded counselors walking alongside students in their own environments can mean increased convenience, enhanced awareness and overall heightened comfort with accessing mental health care.”

Also poised to increase comfort levels for students accessing mental health care, the Let’s Talk program offers walk-in appointments with professional counselors. While these sessions are not counseling appointments, they create space for more informal conversation to learn about general mental health topics, the counseling process and other mental health resources available to Texas A&M students. Students may visit tx.ag/UHSLetsTalk to learn more about Let’s Talk and its availability at the Libraries.  

In addition to its embedded counselor presence, University Health Services supports student physical and mental health through two main campus locations: the A.P. Beutel Student Health Care Center and the Student Counseling & Mental Health Care Center. Information on resources and appointments is available at 979.458.4584 and uhs.tamu.edu, which also features self-help materials and information about after-hours mental and physical health support options.

Rounding out after-hours mental health support for Texas A&M students, the TELUS Health Student Support app provides 24/7 access to professional counseling by phone or chat in multiple languages in addition to mental health assessments and a self-care content library — all free and confidential. 

Students experiencing an emergency or life-threatening situation should call 911 or visit their nearest emergency room. More information related to local emergency resources and after-hours care is available at tx.ag/UHSemergency, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by calling 988. Visit mentalhealth.tamu.edu for more information on mental health resources available at Texas A&M University.