By Spencer de Tenley, Managing Editor

This fall, Xavier University added a plethora of new student wellbeing services in an effort to enhance the physical and mental health experience for all students. 

In August, a new role under the Department of Student Affairs was created to streamline student wellbeing: the Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellness. Former Director of Counseling Jamie Baxter accepted the role and has begun initiatives related to student wellbeing. 

“In August, I stepped into the Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellness role, which is really exciting for our students as it allows us to really advocate for the health and wellness needs of their student population in a type of cohesive effort that is embedded within the strategic plan,” Baxter said.

Baxter has been working to consolidate all health services for students in her new role, emphasizing the eight dimensions of wellbeing for every appointment and event. This holistic approach to student wellbeing is in tangent with Xavier’s partnership with TriHealth. 

“Our partnership with TriHealth is to really look at the whole wellbeing formation of a Xavier student. Mental health is not separate from any part of who you are as a student. It’s influenced and connected to your social wellbeing, your financial health–all of that,” Baxter said.

Maria Merrill was appointed as the Director of Wellbeing Services. Alongside Merrill, Baxter has increased peer-to-peer services, with dedicated walk-in hours for students to talk with other trained students with the goal of decreasing the barrier of entry for students who need support. 

They have also added programming for students to learn about a slew of topics including prevention work, advocacy and student-to-student connections, all in hopes of improving student mental wellbeing.

Alongside this programming and peer support, additional “Let’s Talk” hours have been added. As the wait for an appointment with a therapist currently exceeds two weeks, the “Let’s Talk” program serves as more accessible walk-in counseling hours for any student to attend. 

“Let’s Talk is the fastest way to get support since you don’t have to make an appointment. You don’t have to call or schedule ahead–simply show up and speak with one of our licensed therapists,” Baxter said.

In further efforts to lower the barrier of entry for students seeking mental health support, the 24/7 on-call crisis management counselor is now easier to reach. Instead of going through the Xavier University Police Department, students can now directly connect with the on-call counselor via the Xavier Health Services number at (513) 745-3022. 

Another way that the Office of Student Wellbeing Services provides care for students is via embedded services in spaces like the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) and TRiO Scholars Student Support Services. 

“We launched a service called ‘Removing the Mask,’ which serves as a support group for students of color centered around issues of mental health, culture and their own lived experience,” Baxter said.

Similar programming is facilitated by Associate Director of Counseling Services Nailah Johnson, who works with students who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community alongside first-generation students in TRiO. 

“The CDI is such an important partner for us. We want to work closely with those staff members as teammates on behalf of our students who deserve this type of focus and support,” Baxter added. 

Alongside the handful of new roles related to well being, a new therapist has been hired and another therapist position has been opened to increase the mental health support for students. This new hire brings the number of therapists up to five alongside the six clinical interns from the Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. 

The new student wellbeing services complement the additional physical health services such as embedded flu shot clinics available in Gallagher Student Center and Justice Hall.