Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2025
Date of Submission
October 2025
Abstract
Maintaining student mental health is a significant and growing challenge for universities. Difficulties with mental health decrease students’ overall well-being and can contribute to students performing poorly in classes, entering academic probation, and failing to complete their degree on time, or at all, among other negative consequences for the university community generally. To help meet the need for mental health care, VCU partnered with TimelyCare in 2020 to provide a variety of online mental health care resources. The partnership has enrolled more than 3,000 student users, though that is less than 15% of the student population. And so, our project aims to raise awareness of TimelyCare among students, faculty, and staff, and to increase their utilization of the resources available. Drawing on data from VCU and peer institutions, we have identified underserved populations as well as best practices for student engagement. We propose a multi-pronged approach: leveraging opportunities within orientation programs; developing VCU-branded, student-centered advertising; crafting targeted outreach to underserved groups in collaboration with existing student organizations; and engaging faculty and staff to learn about the program themselves and refer students to it.
Is Part Of
VCU Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Higher Education Commons