Expanded Services Aim to Bolster Mental Health Support at STC

When it comes to tackling the mental-health toll left in the wake of the pandemic, South Texas College is on the front line of support.

Anxiety and depression are on the rise, domestically and worldwide, according to studies cited by Nature.com. Meanwhile, research shows that young people are the most susceptible, reporting depression at higher rates than older adults.

When STC Counseling Services Manager Mayra Reyes saw crises increasing close to home in the Rio Grande Valley, she took a stand.

“I said, ‘Let’s be proactive about it,’” she recalls. In an era of high stress, when students may have lost family members, jobs, or a sense of stability, counseling services at STC have tripled, expanding to fill the increased need.

Even before the pandemic, Reyes says the center would support up to 10 distressed students per week.

“It could be from just being anxious about something going on in the classroom or home, all the way to wanting to end their life,” Reyes said. “Many of them, especially when they’re transitioning from high school to college, have issues adjusting … that’s when we intervene.”

In the high anxiety of the post-pandemic period, Reyes wanted Counseling and Student Accessibility Services to offer increased support. Enter STC’s new Mental Health Intervention Unit (MHIU), a collaboration between Counseling and the Department of Public Safety to increase security in the college community, provide resources and support, and assist students quickly during mental health emergencies.

“We decided to make a mental health unit to serve the students here at South Texas College, helping them cope with things here on campus, whether it be stress, classes, anything that’s really bothering them,” said STC Officer Michael Medrano. “It’s been working out great.”

The project started last summer by researching ways to better serve students in crisis. The departments involved quickly realized that combining forces would help create a more supportive environment — and address emergencies faster.

“It’s really cool to see it actually happening now,” says STC alum and UTRGV Master Social Work intern Jonathan Piña, who supplied the research. Many problems and solutions were identified after speaking with the STC police officers, and the creation of the Mental Health Intervention Unit prompted Piña's research project.

For Piña, the problem boils down to proper staffing … and proper timing.

“It would take about two to three hours — sometimes even more — for the health authority … to actually arrive on-site to assess the emergency,” he says. Without prompt treatments, students in crisis might leave the office while in danger of hurting themselves.

No more, Piña said.

Now, police officers trained in mental health can immediately engage students to help them seek treatment.

While Counseling and Public Safety have always worked in tandem, the relationship has become ever closer. The two departments have even moved next door to each other to expedite cooperation.

“We have officers patrolling by because they are assigned to the mental health unit,” Reyes said. “Being more visible in this area, we’re able to give students a hint that we’re here to help.”

Instead of only offering counseling services from eight to five, friendly officers trained in mental health are now available 24/7 to provide support and answer questions.

This year, officers received Crisis Intervention Training to offer assistance and keep everyone safe in a mental health emergency.

While those on patrol earned mental health officer certification, counselors likewise engaged in law enforcement simulations so they could understand the other side of the coin.

Now, Reyes believes students receive the best support because “there’s a rapport between our counseling staff and our officers.”

Even better, crisis help is now available no matter where students are, thanks to the new “RAVE Guardian” app.

“The coolest thing about it is that if a student calls the crisis line directly from the app, our police will get an alert,” Reyes says about the high-tech tool. Unlike a call placed over the phone, app-issued communications will allow officers to pinpoint the student’s location and send emergency help immediately.

The free mobile app can turn any smartphone into a personal safety device. It also has a mental health tab, giving students direct access to counseling, a suicide hotline, important campus information, and other emergency numbers.

Students may schedule online or face-to-face counseling appointments and even use the chat function through the app.

Students can also receive safety plans online if they experience domestic violence and need a strategy to leave home. They can even file protective orders over the phone or through Microsoft Teams to help stay clear of harassment or abuse.

“We want these students to feel comfortable to come and talk to us about their situation so we can help them as best we can,” says Medrano. “We really want them to know about the services that are available.”

Turn your smartphone into a personal safety device with STC’s free RAVE Guardian app here: https://www.southtexascollege.edu/info/rave/.