7 Ways That DU Supports Student Mental Health

An increase in mental health challenges among college students has received a lot of attention in recent years—and for good reason. According to a 2024 survey by TimelyCare, three in five students aged 18-24 experience mental health issues that impact their academic success. 

Life as a college student—managing a heavy academic workload and balancing school, work, and a social life, plus adjusting to independent living and new responsibilities and expectations—is a lot for any student and can cause higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. 

But there’s a silver lining. The survey also found that a majority of students (73%) believe they are more likely to graduate or earn a degree because of the mental health support services offered by their college or university.

At DU, the Health and Counseling Center (HCC) is the on-campus hub for mental health care services for all enrolled students. In addition, Thrive Health Promotion, a department within the HCC, provides a wide assortment of programs and events to improve the health and well-being of the DU community. 

“Supporting students' mental health not only meets a growing need, but it also helps students improve their academic performance, increases retention, and contributes to suicide prevention efforts,” says Jessie McGinty, director of Health Promotion.

The DU Newsroom talked to students and staff members about the services and resources available to those looking to address mental health struggles.

One-on-One Therapy: Accessible, Comprehensive Help 

Located inside the Ritchie Center, the HCC is most well-known for its individualized therapy services, which can address topics such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, financial stress, eating disorders, substance abuse, or grief.

Individual sessions can range from no cost to as little as $20 per session, depending on students’ health insurance plans, and is completely free for students on the DU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). The HCC strives to prevent any financial barriers to getting help. “Any student is able to access the counseling center. They won't turn anyone away,” says McGinty. 

HCC specialists, including psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and supervised graduate students, are available to help.

Students can make an appointment online or by phone or visit during drop-in hours from 1-3 p.m. every weekday to receive an initial consultation and figure out what therapy best fits their needs. “You can just show up and be seen on a first-come, first-served basis,” says McGinty.

The HCC also hosts events, trainings, mental health screenings, and specialized group therapy sessions—all in one convenient place.

Group Therapy: Support With Peers 

The HCC offers about 10 different group therapy options for students every quarter, ranging from Removing the Mask, a group for neurodivergent students, to Athlete Injury Recovery Excellence, which helps student athletes recover mentally and emotionally from injury. All groups are free for students and meet both online and in person, depending on the group. It's a great option for students to not only get support but feel less alone in dealing with their problems.

The groups are small—5-8 students and one or two counselors—and meetings can last a quarter or be ongoing. Topics offered shift based on student demand, says McGinty, and are re-evaluated regularly and adjusted based on attendance and interest. 

Thrive Health Promotion: A Team Focused on Well-Being 

The Thrive Health Promotion team in the HCC is “dedicated to education, engagement, and sociocultural change regarding health and well-being topics,” says Sydney Rusnock, a graduate intern for mental health and suicide prevention. 

Thrive Health Promotion hosts multiple events throughout the year to boost student mental health. One of the most popular is End of Season Stress Relief, where they partner with a local nonprofit to bring therapy dogs to campus. “It allows students to take some time for themselves to relax with the animals during an often-busy Week 10,” Rusnock says. “It’s always so impactful to hear students say how much they benefited from engaging with the animals.” 

In May, for Mental Health Awareness Month, Thrive Health Promotion holds the annual Care Fair, a gathering of campus and community partners such as CAPE, SOS, and the Eating Disorder Foundation. For students, “It’s a good option to just talk to different groups and learn,” McGinty says. Typically held in the Community Commons, the Care Fair also has opportunities to win prizes like self-care packages and weighted blankets.

SOS: Helping Students Overcome Obstacles

Known as SOS, Student Outreach and Support Services is a department within Student Affairs that offers non-clinical assistance to students in navigating obstacles, whether they be academic, psychological, or financial. Students can meet with a specialist who will assess their needs, help them develop an action plan, and provide resources for issues such as food assistance, bereavement, medical leave of absence, and emergency financial help.

Students, faculty, staff, and guardians can also submit referrals if they notice someone in their life struggling. A professional team will then process the request and follow up with the student, creating a plan on how to move forward.

Resident Assistants: Here for Students 24/7 

From the moment a DU student steps into their residence hall on campus, peer resources are available in the form of Resident Assistants (RAs). RAs receive comprehensive training on student development, conflict resolution, and campus resources and are available around the clock to help students and refer them to resources like SOS or the HCC. As one RA in Nagel Hall says, their primary goal is “to act as guideposts for students seeking mental health support.”

Trainings and Workshops: Get Crucial Skills 

Thrive Health Promotion hosts many workshops and trainings to help address student mental health needs. For example, Mental Health First Aid training, available for DU students, staff, and faculty, “is all about equipping folks with the skills to respond to any type of mental health challenge and kind of being that triage to other support services,” McGinty says. 

Workshops geared toward students, faculty, and staff include ones on suicide prevention, adjusting to student life, and coping skills. DU community members can request a workshop for any group on campus by filling out this form two weeks in advance. General mental health trainings can be tailored towards specific requests or groups on campus, says Rusnock. 

Other Support Services and Hotlines

Other specialized support that the HCC provides includes:

• CAPE, the Center for Advocacy, Prevention, and Empowerment, which works with survivors of interpersonal violence
• The Collegiate Recovery Program (DU CRP), which hosts free sober events and meetings and connects students to peer ambassadors 

You can also find lists of crisis hotlines, helpful apps, and other external resources on the HCC website.

If you have any questions about any of DU’s mental health services or resources, reach out to the HCC at 303-871-2205 or info@hcc.du.edu.