Kennesaw State Expands Mental Health Resources For Students

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

Feb 16, 2021

Kennesaw State expands mental health resources for students

KENNESAW, Ga.
(Feb 16, 2021) — Building on its longstanding commitment to providing a healthy and supportive learning
environment, Kennesaw State University is expanding the mental health services and
resources available to students.

Kennesaw State has launched Wellbeing@KSU, a comprehensive mental health wellbeing initiative that includes services such as
a 24/7/365 mental health support line for in-the-moment support and linkages to next
steps, regardless of the time of day or the caller’s location; wellness peer mentors;
and expanded access to psychiatric assessments. Wellbeing@KSU builds on Kennesaw State’s
existing resources offered through Student Health Services, Health Promotion and Wellness, Counseling and Psychological Services, Sports and Recreation, and the Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery.

KSU’s efforts are part of a statewide initiative, supported by Governor’s Emergency
Education Relief funding amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, to enhance mental health and
student support services within the University System of Georgia. The USG and Kennesaw
State are partnering with two organizations dedicated to health and wellbeing: Christie
Campus Health, which expands access to behavioral health resources for students on
and off campus, and the Jed Campus program, which is guiding KSU through a strategic
planning process to build on existing student mental health, substance misuse and
suicide prevention efforts.

“The mental health of our students always has been a priority at KSU, and it never
has been more important than during these unique and challenging times,” said Teresa
Johnston, assistant vice president for student affairs. “While we have seen remarkable
resilience from our students during the pandemic, we are keenly aware that feeling
alone or separated from their university community can heighten any stress, anxiety
or depression a college student is experiencing.”

As part of Wellbeing@KSU, students have access to these new services at no additional
cost:

• A 24/7, 365-days-a-year mental health support line: 470-578-6600
• Wellness peer mentors to provide support and coordinate referrals
• An online wellness hub with educational content, self-help tools and resource links
• Expanded mental health training for faculty, staff and students

Those are in addition to existing services such as telehealth or in-person treatment
sessions with licensed mental health clinicians and comprehensive campus programming
related to wellbeing. Also, additional psychiatric supports have been expanded through
Christie Campus Health, providing students more availability to receive assessment
and medication management.

KSU’s Mental Health Initiatives Project Team, composed of representatives from departments
and units throughout the University, has been meeting for the past several months
to develop and implement the initiatives. Along with the new services through Christie
Campus Health’s Wellbeing@KSU program, the effort includes long-term plans through
the strategic planning process with the Jed Foundation.

“Kennesaw State University believes that supporting the mental health of our students
is a campus-wide responsibility,” Johnston said. “Mental health on college campuses is a public health priority and,
more than ever, we need to look out for each other. We are committed to providing a number of options for meeting students’ needs and eliminating any barriers
to them.”

– Paul Floeckher

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.