Boise State University offers various mental health resources to support students coping with stress, anxiety, and depression as they manage classes, work, and social life.
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Justin Herbert, a health promotion strategist with Boise State Wellness Services, noted that anxiety and depression frequently affect students. Wellness Services aims to educate, prevent issues, and connect students with support, while Counseling Services delivers direct mental health care. Both services are housed in the Norco Building.
Programs provided by Wellness Services include therapy dog events, the Wellness Bar, and Party Smart. The Wellness Bar focuses on mental well-being, while Party Smart offers anonymous screenings for students regarding their alcohol consumption, along with personalized feedback. At therapy dog events, students can also participate in a short mental health screening.
A previous event saw around 240 students participating, but only four were aware of the availability of campus Health and Counseling services, as reported by Herbert. These outreach initiatives resulted in 21 students scheduling appointments with Health and Counseling Services last year.
Counselor Ericka Obaitek emphasized the availability of crisis counseling for students in need of immediate support. She explained that students can walk into the clinic during business hours to see a counselor without needing an appointment.
Additionally, students can file a CARE report for themselves or someone they are concerned about. These reports can be submitted anonymously and alert campus departments to assist students experiencing a crisis. Obaitek suggested checking in with friends if something seems off.
Herbert encourages students to reach out to anyone they trust—be it a friend, professor, staff member, club leader, or family member—to connect with the appropriate resources.
Through outreach, counseling services, and available resources, Wellness Services aims to assure students that they do not have to face mental health challenges alone. Whether starting with Counseling Services, Wellness Services, or a CARE report, reaching out is a vital first step, as emphasized by Herbert's commitment to student well-being.