Letter on mental health services offered by University Health Services | Letters To The Editor | dailycal.org
- University Health Services (UHS) has significantly reduced wait times for counseling services from an average of 15.12 days in fall 2020 to 3.27 days in fall 2021 through the implementation of a new continuum of care model.
- Students have positively responded to the enhanced accessibility of mental health services, highlighting the ease of booking appointments and the availability of same-day sessions for urgent needs, which helps reduce anxiety.
- UHS has adopted a co-design approach, actively involving students in the development and evaluation of services through surveys, focus groups, and advisory committees, ensuring tailored mental health support and plans to further integrate digital health literacy strategies.
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Transforming Mental Health Care for Students
University Health Services (UHS) has been actively transforming and enhancing their mental health programming to better meet the needs of students. This initiative, which began in 2021, has led to significant improvements in access to counseling services, reducing wait times from an average of 15.12 days in fall 2020 to 3.27 days in fall 2021. Currently, wait times remain low, with a focus on adding resources and services beyond counseling to offer a variety of options for students to access mental health support at any given time.
Key Improvements
- New Continuum of Care Model: In 2021, UHS implemented a new continuum of care model, focusing on improving access to counseling services within CAPS.
- Reduced Wait Times: From fall 2020 to fall 2021, the average wait time for counseling services was significantly reduced from 15.12 days to 3.27 days.
- Increased Accessibility: Students have reported that the services are accessible and easy to book, with same-day appointments available for urgent needs, which helps alleviate anxiety associated with long wait times.
Student Feedback
Positive feedback from students highlights the success of these changes:
- Easy Access: "This service is accessible and easy to book as a student It's nice to be able to make an appointment for the next day when going through an episode or not feeling well."
- Reduced Anxiety: "I felt like I really needed to talk to someone as soon as possible, and I usually get quite anxious for appointments. Therefore, the same-day appointments completely eliminated the anxiety I usually go through."
Co-Design Approach
UHS has adopted a co-design approach to evaluate and change their services to meet students' needs. This involves involving students in all phases through surveys, focus groups, and advisory committees. This collaborative approach ensures that the services are tailored to the specific needs of the student body.
Future Plans
UHS continues to focus on expanding resources and services to meet students where they are at any given time. This includes integrating digital health literacy (DHL) strategies to enhance students' ability to find, understand, and use online health-related information effectively. DHL is crucial during times of crisis, such as the ongoing pandemic, to ensure students have access to reliable health information and can critically evaluate available information to mitigate negative mental health consequences.
Conclusion
University Health Services has made substantial progress in enhancing mental health programming for students, with a focus on improving access to counseling services and integrating digital health literacy strategies. This effort is crucial for supporting student well-being and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive academically and personally. https://www.dailycal.org/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-on-mental-health-services-offered-by-university-health-services/article_0626efbc-3286-11ef-b1ec-df63f45ab4b9.html https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8522001/
