About the Webconference
As demand for counseling services continues to rise, counseling centers must grapple with the fact that they can’t provide all types of services with finite resources. Leaders recognize the high stakes associated with increased demand and delayed access to mental health supports, including risks related to campus safety and student welfare. Students’ mental health concerns and access to treatment also impact key institutional goals, such as academic performance and retention.
Leaders must determine how to prioritize clinical resources in order to maximize counseling center operations and efficiency. Your institution likely doesn’t have the resources to provide both accessibility for all students (quick access to care for students with short-term needs) and intensity (ongoing treatment for students with specialized or complex care needs), so your campus must decide how to allocate limited clinical resources. High-need students require ongoing, specialized, or intensive services, such as medication management or long-term therapeutic engagements. Most institutions are not resourced to manage these types of complex concerns on campus, especially in high volume.
When the needs of students go beyond the scope of campus resources, institutions should help students connect with off-campus care. Use data to identify high-need individuals and groups who need support beyond what is available on campus and strategically match them with community partners. Create effective referral mechanisms that help students overcome common barriers to initiating and maintaining off-campus care.
Research shows that many students don't connect with an off-campus provider after they were referred by the university's counseling center because of financial or logistical concerns. Progressive colleges and universities are using tactics and interventions that streamline the referral process for students whose needs are beyond the scope and resources of the campus counseling center.
This webconference will discuss:
- Setting upfront expectations with students and families about on-and off-campus care options
- Using data to pair community resources with student needs
- Facilitating effective community referrals and ensuring continuity of care