The priority for services regarding mental health for college students has grown since the pandemic. According to a 2021 Healthy Minds Network Study, rates of college students experiencing anxiety and depression have risen in recent years; 34% have an anxiety disorder and 41% have depression. UTSA’s Wellbeing Services includes counseling, 24/7 assistance, survivor advocacy programs and more. These resources are not only available to students, but also to faculty, staff, friends and family members. Partnered with Wellness 360 and MySSP, UTSA is offering students access to quality mental health care.

Wellness 360 is an on-campus, nurse-led health care system for UTSA students. It is provided by UT Health San Antonio, and their health care team is led by advanced practice registered nurses. Access to making an appointment is available either online or over the phone at 210-458-4142. Appointments can be held either virtually or in-person. Services they offer include primary care, first aid, prescriptions, health screenings, vaccinations and more.

Another program for mental health services is MySSP (My Student Support Program). It is an app through which students can call or chat with professional counselors anytime, or arrange virtual appointments and services. Health assessments are also available. Students can make it anonymous and will get feedback. Their website has health and wellbeing content like articles, infographics and videos that provide information on the vast topics of mental health. MySSP even has virtual fitness sessions where students can sign up for free and get virtual sessions through LIFT. MySSP also offers content and support in Cantonese, French, Spanish and Mandarin. If the desired language is not listed, students can request to set up an appointment with a counselor who speaks that language, depending on the availability of that counselor.

It can be a challenge for college students to go to counseling in person, or in a moment of need to talk to someone. Wherever a student is, MySSP is an accessible mental health resource at UTSA that connects students with free, confidential mental health and wellbeing support available 24/7. 

Counseling is a mental health service that is available on UTSA grounds. Their building, Recreation Wellness Center 1.810, is on the main campus by the Recreational Center. They provide services such as individual counseling, group counseling, emergency situations and screening services. To make appointments you can visit their office, or call 210-458-4140. In-person appointments are also available to students and are convenient for those who live on campus. If students need urgent or crisis assistance, the counseling center is available 24/7, whether in person or over the phone (select option three). This includes after office hours, weekends and official UTSA holidays. 

Students interested in counseling, mental health and helping victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment can be interns at the Wellbeing Counseling Center. One student who is a counselor and is helping students is Alexandra Estrada, a graduate student in clinical mental health counseling at UTSA who is graduating this May. 

“My experience so far has been nothing but great and overwhelming in a good way,” Estrada said.

Estrada was amazed that many students actually utilize the resources at UTSA. During her time in her internship, she enjoyed working with all the clinicians and the accessibility of her professors. She shares that there is also an addiction center, the PEACE center and a psychiatric ward in the counseling center available for students who need it. 

She hopes after graduation to get a job at a university, but if Estrada finds opportunities elsewhere, she hopes it will be trauma and grief work. At UTSA, she has had many patients who deal with forms of grief and trauma and would love to continue working in that field. 

“I have come across various students that have some form of grief and some form of trauma in their life and I think it’s an important aspect and really rewarding and valuable work to get into that field specifically…,” Estrada said.

Estrada was inspired to get into the counseling field in high school. The counseling service made her realize that it helped when it came to understanding herself and that it can really make a difference. She wants to be a part of the change for other people, so as an undergraduate she went into counseling and is now about to graduate this spring.

“I think it’s important … to get the word out of how important mental awareness is and mental health,” Estrada said. “I know it’s not advocated as much [and can be] pushed aside … [but] sometimes, talking to somebody to just unwind that ball of yarn can help put things into perspective and allow you … to do the work on your own which is what we always advocate.” 

UTSA’s Wellbeing services are accessible for students who are in need of bettering their physical or mental health. The center has recently been tabling about everything they offer, even ways students can help other students. Wellbeing Services also has a program called Mental Health Peer Advocate Program where UTSA students can give support to other students while gaining a health education experience. Students have to fill out a form on RowdyLink and choose when they can meet their peer mentor. These sessions are 30 minutes long and are ensured to be located in a private, safe and non-judgemental environment. This is a great program for students who want to get involved on-campus and for others to connect and get help from their peers.

If you are concerned and believe that a student or faculty member is in immediate danger, you can contact UTSA Police at 210-458-4911.

Other Resources:

Center for Health Care Services 24-hour Crisis Line: 210-223-7233

Family Violence Prevention Services: 210-733-8810

Rape Crisis Center: 210-349-7273

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Texas Department of Family and Protective Service: 1-800-252-5400 (Texas Abuse Hotline)

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hotline: 1-800-662-4357

UTSA Crisis Helpline (UTSA affiliate): 210-458-4140

If in danger of self-harm or of harming someone else, and it is after normal business hours, please seek help immediately. 

If you are on-campus: call University Police at (210) 458-4242

Emergency: 9-1-1

Crisis Stabilization Unit: (210) 225-5481

United Way Helpline: (210) 227-4357

UTSA Wellbeing Locations and Hours:

• Wellness 360

Location: RWC 1.500

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tues, Thu 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Counseling

Location: RWC 1.810

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wed 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Recovery Center

Location: JPL 4.02.08

Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• PEACE Center

Location: RWC 1.802

Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Wellbeing Education & Promotion

Location: RWC 1.812

Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wellbeing website: https://www.utsa.edu/students/wellbeing/