Mental Health: Faculty Assisting Students
Faculty at all USU campuses have expressed concern about how they can help students who are experiencing mental health issues. A good place to direct students to find resources to support overall well-being is the Aggie Wellness website. Aggie Wellness functions as a gateway to resources for mental health, physical health, fitness and recreation, relationship wellness, and suicide prevention available at the Logan, Eastern, Blanding, and other Statewide campuses and centers.
Mental health services provided by USU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) are available for USU students over Zoom or in-person. CAPS services include consultation to discuss concerns, explore options, and determine which service(s) may be best for the student. CAPS may suggest and provide single session therapy, group session therapy, support groups, and/or individual counseling and psychotherapy. CAPS case managers may connect students to off-campus therapists and support students navigating referral options and health insurance coverage. USU students may also access psychiatry services, and medical treatment and prevention for mental and emotional health at the Student Health and Wellness Center. Referrals are not required for students to access CAPS or Student Health and Wellness services.
CAPS also offers workshops, which are open to students, faculty, and staff interested in learning more about mental wellness topics such as preventing suicide and managing stress and anxiety. Outreach services may be requested in advance for prevention, awareness, and educational presentations and trainings at faculty workshops or retreats. Consider assigning students a recorded workshop when you need to cancel a class.
How can you recognize a student in distress?
If you are concerned about a student who may be struggling, the Behavioral Intervention Team’s website Assisting Students in Distress lists academic, physical, psychological, and safety risk indicators.
Think: Have you noticed changes in academic performance, physical appearance, or behavior? Care: Show you care — speak up if you are worried, alarmed, or threatened. Act: Initiate a conversation. Stay calm and listen sensitively and carefully. Get help or report an incident.
If you are concerned for your own or other’s safety, call campus police (435-797-1939) or 911 for emergencies. If you are worried about a student experiencing mental health-related distress, call or text 988 for 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors, or use the SafeUT app to connect by phone or text for real-time crisis intervention or to submit a tip. If it is not an emergency or an immediate crisis — but you are worried about a student who might be struggling — submit a Student of Concern Report. Document your interactions with distressed students and consult with your administrators after any incident. You play a crucial role in suicide prevention: Know the signs, find the words, and reach out.