STEPHENVILLE, Texas —The Texas A&M System announced an investment in mental health services Monday, ensuring that Tarleton State University students will continue to have access to TELUS Health Student Support, a free, confidential mental health care app.
TELUS Health Student Support gives students 24/7 access to mental health help via telephone or chat. Students can also make counseling appointments for short-term support via telephone or video.
This is the second year that the app has been utilized at Tarleton State, with today’s announcement serving as a steadfast show of support by The Texas A&M System to provide mental health services.
“Studies show that about 75 percent of students who are struggling with depression or anxiety are reluctant to get help,” said James Hallmark, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for the 11 universities in The Texas A&M System. “We hope this app makes it easier for students to take the first step.”
TELUS, which is available in Android or iOS, is not only available when students need it, it’s also accessible wherever they are. The app can be installed and set up in just a few short steps and allows students to connect with a professional counselor any time they want.
Through the app, students can talk to a counselor via text chat or phone call, with services available in multiple languages including Spanish, French, Mandarin and Cantonese. Other languages may be available by request. Students can even schedule a limited number of repeat sessions with the same counselor if needed.
Other features include an educational media library covering a variety of mental health-related topics, anonymous assessments for conditions like depression, anxiety and drug use, and even access to guided meditations and fitness sessions.
Hallmark thanked Chancellor John Sharp and The Texas A&M System Regents for investing in the new mental health care benefits.
“Mental health is key to student success,” Hallmark said. “College can be stressful, it’s a transformative experience, after all, but students today are more willing than ever to seek the help they need and we are very glad to be able to be offering it to them.”
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A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.