Baylor to Highlight Mental Health Resources, Events & Research for October

October is one of the busiest times of the year for university counseling centers across the nation. In recognition of daily mental health struggles, difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic and World Mental Health Awareness Day Oct. 10, Baylor University will focus on sharing information and engagement opportunities related to mental health and wellbeing, including resources available to students, faculty and staff.

"Consistent with what's happening nation-wide, we've seen a strong demand for our mental health resources. It's encouraging to see organizations and groups across the University leveraging their platforms to share tips and best practices for mental wellbeing," Jim Marsh, dean for student health and wellness and executive director for counseling services, said. "Along with the resources we have in place on campus, I encourage all in the Baylor Family to follow the Counseling Center and the University in the coming weeks on social media for helpful reminders about investing in our mental wellbeing."

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

During the pandemic, University Health and Wellness implemented new strategies to further help students navigate their mental health while staying safe. The Counseling Center now offers their services, including initial assessments, group therapy, clinicals, eating disorder help and more, through telecounseling over video or phone. The Counseling Center also offers short-term methods to walk students through various stressful situations.

“It is important that we all support one another during this time. Caring for ourselves, our loved ones and our community is a core value of who Baylor has been, is, and will always be,” Brooke Hill-Allen, assistant director of diversity and programs in the Baylor University Counseling Center, said. “The Counseling Center is committed to the work that we do and the overall mental health and wellness of our community."

Students can seek short-term help with the following:

• Personal Issues
• Stress
• Relationship issues
• Developmental/family issues
• Academic concerns

Students can contact the Counseling Center at 254-710-2467.

RESOURCES FOR FACULTY & STAFF

“The pandemic has produced a lot of anxiety. Students, faculty and staff are anxious about possibly contracting the coronavirus as well as being isolated from their loved ones,” Dominique Hill, director of Baylor’s Department of Wellness, said. “The Employee Assistance Program is a tremendous resource to help support the wellbeing of faculty and staff.”

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free and confidential resources, assessments, counseling, referrals and follow-up services to employees to support their personal and professional lives. The EAP program is available to all full-time faculty and staff along with their dependents.

EAP program features:

• EAP Counseling
• Unlimited Telephone Access
• Family Source
• Legal Connect
• Financial Connect
• Guidance Resource

EAP resources and services may be accessed by phone or online.

Phone: 888-628-4844 or 800-697-0353
Online: guidanceresources.com
1. Select the ‘Register’ tab to the right
2. Enter the Organization Web ID when prompted: PFGEAP
3. Set up your username, password and security question as a first-time user

For more information on EAP resources and how to access them, visit baylor.edu/hr/eap.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Members of the Baylor community are also encouraged to participate this month in the Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Series, which will cultivate heightened awareness for topics of mental and behavioral health. The series will be hosted virtually and features a variety of speakers and panelists.

Friday, October 9 - Kevin Hines: Survivor. Storyteller. Filmmaker.
Kevin Hines is an award-winning global speaker, best-selling author, documentary filmmaker, and suicide prevention and mental health advocate who has reached millions with his story of an unlikely survival and his strong will to live.

• 12 p.m. - Community session (registration open to all)
• 4 p.m. - Student-only session (registration open to students)

Friday, October 30 - H. Jean Wright II, PsyD: Find Strength in your Struggle, A Faith-Based Approach to Wellness
Learn about research that points to improved medical and psychological/emotional outcomes for people who rely on their faith and/or spiritual belief system. We’ll also cover encouraging behavioral health professionals to include, where appropriate, a person’s faith/spiritual belief system in developing an individual health plan.

• 12 p.m. - Session (registration open to all)
• 5:30 p.m. - Session (registration open to all)