In an effort to make it easier for students to find the right mental health resources for them, Student Affairs has updated its Student Mental Health Resources page and launched a campus-wide marketing campaign driving traffic to the website.

“We recognize how overwhelming and confusing it can be to navigate a place as big as the University of Utah,” said Sherrá Watkins, associate vice president for Student Health & Wellness. “For students needing support with their mental health, it shouldn’t be an added burden to try to figure out where to go for help. This page does not list every mental health resource on campus and that is on purpose. We wanted to simplify the options, get students connected, and from there they may be referred to additional resources if it makes sense for them.”

With the tagline “here for you anytime, anywhere,” Student Affairs hopes to spread awareness of new, virtual counseling options through the MySSP app, as well as the updated stepped-care model in the University Counseling Center (UCC).

“There is no reason to wait to receive the mental health care you need at the U,” said Scott McAward, executive director of the UCC. “Whether you or someone you know is in crisis, looking for a single counseling appointment or wanting to establish long-term support, there is no more than a 2-4 day wait at the Counseling Center, and there is no wait at all to speak with a licensed therapist through the MySSP app.”

Due to state licensing laws, it is often the case that counselors can only see clients located in the state where they are licensed. This means students who are completing an internship in Washington, D.C., or home for summer break outside of Utah, have not been able to speak with University of Utah counselors. With the MySSP app, that is no longer an issue. Students can text or call a counselor at any time, in multiple languages, regardless of their location.

For students who prefer self-guided mental health support, Student Affairs has also invested in the Nod app and You@Utah, an online platform that allows students to take a self-check assessment and provides personalized support resources based on what areas of well-being they are most interested in.

Most resources on the Student Mental Health Resources page are free for all students (undergraduate, graduate, professional) to use.