By Sandra C. Roa, University Communications and Marketing
Heather Walders approaches mental health and well-being holistically. As a mental health outreach clinician at the ±«Óătv Counseling Center, Walders uses her background in social work, public health and yoga to consider how social pressures and current events impact her student clients. Throughout the semester, Walders facilitates workshops, visits residential students and conducts weekly counseling sessions. âWe want to make sure that we can provide coping mechanisms for our students,â Walders said.
Walders is also a ±«Óătv alum and knows what itâs like to be a student balancing academics and the anxieties of young adult life. She earned a bachelorâs degree in mass communications (â98) and masterâs degrees in social work (â14) and public health (â15).
The ±«Óătv Counseling Center provides individual and group counseling services to more than 3,500 students each year, and extends its outreach and consultation services to more than 13,000 members of the ±«Óătv community annually.
To meet increased demand for mental health services, ±«Óătv expanded resources this fall, including the launch of TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform and mobile app thatâs free to current students. ±«Óătv also offers online platforms Togetherall and TAO.