During the past two years, college students have been seeking more mental health counseling, and Midwestern State University’s Counseling Center is expanding its services to meet those needs.

Earlier this month, the Counseling Center announced a partnership with BetterMynd, an online therapy platform for college students, which was made possible through a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

“Expanded mental health resources and access are critical to the success of our students,” said Keith Lamb, Vice President for Student Affairs. “By partnering with BetterMynd, MSU Texas can increase the number of clinical hours available, including after-hours counseling, and increase the availability of culturally diverse Licensed Professional Counselors available to our students.”

BetterMynd services feature free, online, 50-minute live-video therapy sessions with a professional counselor specializing in college student mental health that will be private and confidential.  Students may receive help from the convenience of a laptop or smartphone.

“These services reflect a commitment to meeting the shifting needs of a modern student population,” said Zachary Zoet, assistant director for the Counseling Center. He said many students have additional obligations and responsibilities, which makes a traditional 8 a.m.-5 p.m. counseling service a poor fit for their schedules. “These expanded coverage hours of weekday evenings and weekend availability help us meet our students where we are.”

Zoet said studies show that the number of students seeking mental health counseling has increased more than 60% since 2020. At the same time, more than 50% of college students have difficulty finding treatment for mental health due to a lack of resources or financial hardships.

The early response at the Counseling Center has been positive with 48 students registered and 23 session credits used as of September 19.

The MSU Texas Counseling Center has solicited feedback regularly from its students, staff, and faculty. Zoet said the partnership with BetterMynd allows the center to serve more students and help them reduce the barriers they may experience in accessing mental health care by supplying them with a diverse pool of counselors. And that resource will allow the Counseling Center to redistribute therapist hours to vital student services.