The University of Minnesota is dedicated to student well-being through its Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic plan. Recently, President Rebecca Cunnigham signed the Okanagan Charter, emphasizing that well-being is vital in every part of college life.
Counseling and mental health services play a key role on every campus. These services support students through challenges, helping them thrive in their studies. Each campus has its own methods and initiatives tailored to its student body.
Round-the-Clock Support
At Crookston, the campus is known for its innovative approach to meet diverse student needs. Traditional students, commuters, student-athletes, and online learners all have access to tailored care. This spring marks the first year for TimelyCare, offering 24/7 virtual mental and physical health services.
TimelyCare bridges gaps for busy students, fitting care around their schedules. Jodi Ramberg, director of Counseling Services, shares that over 35% of TimelyCare sessions happen after hours or on weekends, with students accessing services from several states beyond Minnesota.
“Online help complements our in-person services,” she notes, allowing on-campus providers to focus more deeply on students who need face-to-face counseling.
Promoting Mental Health Awareness
Duluth Counseling Services serves around 9,500 students with seven therapists on staff to handle a growing demand for mental health support. Director S.K. Chung emphasizes the importance of broadening mental health resources beyond traditional therapy. Therefore, they’ve launched initiatives like a mental health summit to empower faculty and staff as advocates for student mental health.
“Students often turn to a trusted adult first, not necessarily a counselor,” Chung points out. “We need a variety of services to meet diverse student experiences.”
Cultivating Embedded Wellness
The Morris campus has developed the “Morris Let’s Thrive” program, blending wellness practices into students’ academic and social experiences. Jeanne Williamson, associate director for counseling, says they spent a year studying effective well-being models to create this program.
Now, students encounter mental health education in classrooms through courses on mindfulness, and they receive support in community events and wellness presentations. Williamson believes that addressing whole-person health is vital for student success and overall well-being.
Building Community Connections
At the Rochester campus, Jessie Sorvaag Marg leads her team in fostering strong relationships with students. They aim to integrate mental health support into activities students already attend, making it easier for them to access help.
“The challenge is getting busy students to come to yet another event,” Sorvaag Marg explains. “By joining existing events, we can reach them more effectively.”
Breaking Down Barriers
The Twin Cities campus focuses on improving access to mental health care for its 60,000 students. Boynton Mental Health and Counseling is piloting walk-in sessions, providing no-cost consultations without documentation.
Joy Johnson-Lind, senior director at Boynton, notes that early feedback shows these informal access points are meeting needs effectively. They analyze data to identify priority student populations and place counselors strategically to enhance accessibility.
Collaborating for Success
All campuses benefit from collaboration through the Systemwide Mental Health Collaborative, a networking platform for counselors. They share strategies and resources to tackle common challenges.
Ramberg appreciates the value of this collaboration. “It’s beneficial to learn what others are doing instead of always starting from scratch,” she says.
Conclusion
In this collective effort, each campus is committed to supporting student mental health. By expanding access and integrating wellness into everyday routines, the University of Minnesota continues to foster an environment where students can thrive.
For more insights on mental health initiatives in educational settings, check out the National Institute of Mental Health.
