Pillars of Wellness offers mental health and wellness services to ensure college students have access to these much needed services. Pillars’ University Counseling services were designed to increase access for a group that is often underserved and provide specialized care for these individuals who have unique clinical needs. In addition to providing direct client care, our program stands out in its design collaborate with and/or supplement existing services already made available within university campuses.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the mental health of university students is worsening. During the 2020–2021 school year, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem. In another national survey, almost three quarters of students reported moderate or severe psychological distress.
As an organization, we hope to aid in providing effective mental health services within our community, nearby universities, as well as those who live on college campuses.
Our goals for providing mental health services for university students:
- Improve each student’s mental health concerns through evidenced-based interventions.
- Develop treatment plans and implement mental health services to address the various mental health needs of students.
- Provide intervention services for at-risk populations on university campuses.
- Provide additional counseling services in the event of a crisis.
- Collaborate with university counseling centers, on-campus housing and student disability services to gain a better understanding of mental health needs within each university.
- Provide education to university faculty and staff about risk factors and mental health concerns within the student population.
- Provide workshops and education surrounding mental health and available services to collegiate sports teams, campus organizations and Greek life.
Benefits of External Referrals for University Students
- Universities have been experiencing a growing demand for mental health services that has surpassed capacity and available resources. By collaborating with Pillars of Wellness, a greater number of students can have access to mental health services from our extensive staff of qualified providers.
- Students have the flexibility and freedom to schedule telehealth services around their academic, work and extracurricular activities.
- Students who do not have access to transportation can access mental health services with telehealth.
- Improve student academic performance: Mental health problems can impact the academic performance and success of a college student. Poor mental health contributes to lack of motivation and problems focusing which can lead to failing grades.
- Recent data has shown that counseling services have a positive impact on student retention.
Why Implement University Counseling Services?
Attending college is an exciting and notoriously stressful time for many students. In addition to coping with separation and individuation from their family of origin, students also have to contend with academic pressure, interpersonal issues and balance self-care.. In this context, many college students experience the first onset of mental health and substance use problems or an exacerbation of pre-existing symptoms. There are a variety of concerns that a student may be facing. Concerns may include, but are not limited to:
- Adjustment to living independently (possibly far from their hometown.)
- Poor performance (e.g., grades, sports, clubs)
- Career uncertainty
- Interpersonal relationships
- Trauma and abuse
- Substance use
- Grief
- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- Self-esteem
- Eating disorders
It takes a community to recognize a change in behavior or presentation in our youth. When that change is noticed and it seems unhealthy, our goal is to find the underlying issues and address them in a safe environment. We hope to provide students with the tools and techniques necessary for development.
If you are a mental health professional, faculty member or university representative and feel like your school would benefit from partnering with Pillars of Wellness, please contact us at 219-323-3311 or info@pillarstherapy.com.
Insurances accepted
We accept most major insurances and allow families the ability to bill insurance for these services.
Call to Action
Factors to consider:
- In what ways could additional mental health resources serve your university?
- Within your current school counseling programs, are there any areas where staff could use additional help?
- Could our agency provide support and/or psychoeducation to your students, faculty and staff?
- With a majority of prospective students saying that mental health care resources are an important factor when choosing a school; how can higher education best meet the mental health needs of their students?