Aggie Mental Health continues to offer accessible resources and support for students

A deeper look inside the campaign that promotes Aggie well-being on campus

With the accelerated pace of the quarter system, many students find it challenging to slow down and reflect on their well-being. Aggie Mental Health, a UC Davis campaign that primarily falls under the Health Promotion department of Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS), aims to combat this sentiment through its support of the campus community in raising awareness and promoting mental health.

The campaign is funded by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) Equity in Mental Health Funds, in collaboration with Student Affairs Marketing and Communications and other related campus initiatives and programs. Through student input and involvement, the campaign promotes the centralization of mental health resources for the UC Davis community.

Sally Wu, an Aggie Mental Health student ambassador and a fourth-year psychology major, discussed the initiative’s campus engagement and provided an example of one of the many resources Aggie Mental Health advocates for and elevates on campus.

“We try to increase our presence around campus and start more conversations,” Wu said. “We talk about free resources that partner with the university. One resource in particular is called UWill. It’s teletherapy where students can meet with a therapist online, on their own terms. You schedule it yourself, no insurance is needed and you just sign up with your UC Davis student email. We try to make it as easy as possible for students to get connected. It was introduced last year, and the contract was continued this year. We hope it remains available.”

UWill gives students the opportunity to schedule sessions in the evenings or on weekends, and offers unlimited appointments; its contract continues until July 31, 2026. Other helpful resources available on the Aggie Mental Health website include a Nap Map, which highlights comfy nap spots that students can utilize on campus, a Mental Health Map, which points out physical locations of well-being resources on campus, self-care guides and more.

Wu recognized that even with resources available, stigma surrounding mental health treatment and logistical concerns can stand in the way of getting help.

“Some people don’t want to be perceived as weak or unable to manage everything on their plate,” Wu said. “UC Davis is on the quarter system and very fast paced. It seems like everyone is always going, and you don’t want to be the one who falls behind. There are also concerns about access to resources — some students worry about money, insurance or their parents seeing that they’re reaching out to mental health services. That’s something we’re actively working to address.”

Sydney Holmes, a mental health promotion specialist for the initiative, described how students are generally more comfortable talking about mental health now than they were 10 or 15 years ago, but that people still feel apprehensive at the thought of seeking help.

“When it comes to individuals accessing resources themselves, stigma is still present,” Holmes said. “Students may intellectually support mental health awareness, but still feel hesitant to seek help personally. It can be even more pronounced in cultures where mental health is not openly discussed; we often hear students say that their families or cultural backgrounds treat mental health as taboo or that seeking help is viewed as weakness or failure.”

Not only can stigma surrounding mental health carry over through familial, regional or campus cultures, but it also can vary based on each person’s individual situation or diagnosis.

“I think stigma can vary depending on the specific mental health condition someone is experiencing,” Nataniel Klapperich, an Aggie Mental Health student coordinator and a fourth-year psychology major, said. “Different disorders carry different levels of stigma, so it often depends on a student’s situation. If someone has a more heavily stigmatized condition, they may be less likely to seek help or talk about it.”

The Aggie Mental Health campaign aims to recognize and fight against this stigma, using data on student behavior to work toward increasing the number of students who seek professional help. Their Aggie Ambassador program, for instance, spreads awareness about mental health by sending student ambassadors to large events — such as orientations or pop-up events in resource centers — to check in with fellow students.

“Research shows that students are more likely to talk to a peer about mental health before they talk to a professional,” Holmes said. “That’s the core idea behind the program and the gap we’re trying to fill. A student may feel more comfortable approaching another student, but still wants to know that the person they’re speaking with understands campus resources. All of our ambassadors are extensively trained in mental health resources, referrals and how to support students appropriately.”

Along with raising awareness, Aggie Mental Health is also trying to create structural, tangible change on campus.

“When we conduct research, we try to translate that into policy-level changes, even though that can be challenging,” Klapperich said. “One initiative we’ve been working on is the Red Folder website, which provides guidance for supporting students experiencing a mental health crisis. We’re advocating for it to be placed on classroom lecterns as a laminated flyer with a QR code that links directly to resources. The goal is to ensure professors and teaching assistants know what to do if a student approaches them in crisis, since many may not feel prepared to respond.”

Klapperich also offered another example of a project Aggie Mental Health advocated for — one that had tangible effects in the realm of mental health awareness and education.

“Another example is a suicide prevention training called Question, Persuade, Refer,” Holmes said. “It’s primarily offered online, with an in-person option as well. We advocated to make that training a requirement for all Student Affairs staff. A few years ago, it was voluntary. Now, instead of a few hundred people completing it annually, thousands complete it each year.”

While many students face mental health struggles in their day-to-day lives, few actively seek help. Part of the reason why reaching out for mental health support can feel intimidating, Holmes explained, is the uncertainty that comes with searching for resources.

“If a student wants to talk to a therapist but doesn’t know where to start, I would first recommend visiting the Aggie Mental Health website, which centralizes all campus mental health resources in one place,” Holmes said. “For therapy specifically, Counseling Services through SHCS is a primary option. Students can call to schedule an initial consultation, where they’ll talk through what they’re experiencing and be matched with appropriate support.”

A common question that comes up for those seeking school treatment is how to navigate insurance policies; Holmes assured that UC Davis counseling services remain free for students.

“Students do not need UC SHIP or any form of insurance to access counseling services,” Holmes said. “That’s a common misconception. Counseling services are covered by student fees, so students can access them regardless of their insurance status.”

Another frequent concern for students is whether they can access long-term therapy through the university. However, UC Davis resources are still available for those looking for more long-term counseling, according to Holmes.

“I’ve had students assume they couldn’t receive longer-term therapy on campus, but that’s not necessarily true,” Holmes said. “Counseling Services can connect students with case managers and help them find ongoing support if that’s what they need.”

For those worried about confidentiality — for instance, if a student wishes not to share with their parents that they began receiving mental health-related services — Holmes noted that the school’s counseling services always remain private.

“Counseling services are completely confidential,” Holmes said. “The only way a parent would be able to see that a student had an appointment is if the student gives their Kerberos [identification] and password to their parent. If a student is especially concerned about confidentiality, we have a webpage that explains privacy protections in more detail, so they can understand exactly how their information is handled.”

For students on their parents’ private insurance who are concerned about confidentiality, they can submit forms to their insurance companies to request confidential communications and specify what information can and cannot be shared.

Through their involvement with the initiative, students and Aggie Mental Health workers report feeling a sense of fulfillment; in their work supporting the well-being of others, student ambassadors often find themselves gaining support along the way.

“It has made me more mindful of my own mental health,” Wu said. “When doing this work, it’s easy to get wrapped up in trying to help others and forget that you might need support as well. Being part of a community that checks in on each other and prioritizes mental health makes me reflect on my own. I can’t pour from an empty cup, so I have to make sure I’m doing well before trying to help others.”

Written by: Graciela Tiu — features@theaggie.org