These days, you can touch a screen and get all kinds of personal information, everything from banking to blood pressure — and now mental health.
This semester, UA’s Counseling Center has introduced a MindKare Mental Health Kiosk, which uses an online screening platform. The platform was developed by Screening for Mental Health, Inc., a national nonprofit that provides innovative mental health and substance use resources, linking those in need to quality treatment options.
“Thanks to the generous donation of the Farrow family, we can offer another tool to help students do a quick check up on their well-being and receive related resource information,” said Dr. Lee Keyes, executive director of the Counseling Center.
“Receiving such information in different ways and places increases the likelihood of accessing the services offered here at UA.”
Demand for counseling services has increased significantly over the past seven years. Across the nation, college students are reporting high levels of anxiety and stress for which they need support. Yet many also describe lacking mental health information and not accessing services on campus.
“We are all aware of the rising need for mental health services on college and university campuses, and we need to find creative solutions and develop easy-to-access means to provide students with the helpful resources and critical information needed to seek help,” said Dr. Ruperto Perez, associate vice president for Student Health and Wellbeing.
“The Farrows’ generous donation allows UA to provide these important mental health resources and services to serve this growing need at the University.”
MindKare Mental Health Kiosks are designed for use in public spaces and aim to reduce stigma by making learning about and screening for treatable conditions like depression or anxiety as commonplace as a blood pressure screening.
The kiosk includes a touch screen display to provide users with a seamless experience as they navigate through educational information about mental health conditions, a screening assessment and local treatment resources. The screening component provides a quick, anonymous way for people to check in on their mental health.
The kiosk will be available for the duration of the academic year and is located at the Ferguson Student Center near Information Desk A on the second floor.
The screening is also available online at http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/ua. The UA Counseling Center hopes this initiative will connect students to their community, promote mental health awareness, and provide those in need with the resources to seek help.
For more information, contact Keyes at 205/348-3863 or lee.keyes@ua.edu.