The University ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ of Georgia has launched a comprehensive Mental Health Initiative to significantly expand student mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In August of 2020, Governor Kemp allocated funds from the Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) of the federal CARES Act specifically to support mental health and student support services within ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøÕ¾.
While ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ students have proven to be remarkably resilient during the pandemic, with higher academic achievement and a record number of degrees awarded, the need for additional on-campus mental health resources has been heightened by the unique challenges students face right now. The ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Mental Health Task Force, appointed in 2019, has worked to identify areas of need across ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ and recommend how to immediately expand mental health support services for students with the GEER funding allocation.
The Mental Health Initiative will expand ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ clinical resources to ensure every student has access to telephonic psychiatric care and clinical counseling services. Expanded services will also offer in-person counseling options through a partnership with Christie Campus Health, a 24/7 hotline and well-being support programs. Additional funds will be set aside to create a ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Mental Health Consortium, which will develop a long-term service model for ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøվ’s 26 institutions.
In recognition of the unique needs of each ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ campus, mini-grants will be made available to campuses to support mental health and wellness. These funds can be used to establish new technology resources, increase campus programming or enhance communications.