Outreach for Commuter and Non-Traditional Students

Stephanie C. Day, Ph.D.Psychologist and Outreach Coordinator

University of Houston-Clear LakeCounseling Services

UHCL StudentsUpper-level (junior, senior, graduate)Approximately 8,000 studentsCommuter campus – no dorm housingAverage age = 31 yearsOver 50% racial and ethnic minoritiesOver 10% international students Over 40% have no health insuranceNearly 40% are first-generation college

studentsMultiple responsibilities – family, work, school

Challenges Engaging StudentsMany students only come to campus for

classesAbout 10% of students heavily involved in

student government & organizationsNo “captive” audienceGenerally low attendance at campus eventsStigma & misunderstanding of mental illness

& treatment

Approach to OutreachMarketingIncreasing visibility of office and counseling

staffEducating staff, faculty, and students about

servicesDeveloping working relationships on campusProviding relevant informationPortable format (handouts, online)Collaboration on events

Class VisitsCollaborate with Career ServicesGo to 80-100 classes per semester

Undergraduate and graduate coursesAcross disciplines

10-15 minute presentation about servicesHandout of events and ongoing servicesGoal of reaching 20-25% of students each

semesterAlso aim to inform instructors

Informational Displays - RollyFour-sided free-standing bulletin boardsTopics relevant to our students

Mental health topics (depression, anxiety)Quality of life/general concerns (parenting,

relationships)Include handouts with supplemental

informationContact information for Counseling Services

Self-Help ResourcesWall of handouts outside our officeResource library for students

CDsBooks/handbooks

Online screeningsDepressionAlcoholBipolar DisorderEating DisordersGADPTSD

Collaborative ProgrammingOrientation and New Student Programs

Orientation for transfer & new students is mandatory

SLICE (Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement) Workshops

Intercultural Student ServicesInternational Student WorkshopsInternational Student OrientationWomen’s & LGBTQ Health Fair

Joint Career Workshops with Career Services

Training & ConsultationsResponding to Distressed and Distressing

StudentsFaculty and StaffStudent Organizations

Orientation Leader TrainingCARE (Crisis Awareness Response

Emergency ) TeamDirector of Counseling Services on CARE TeamOngoing consultation to Dean of Students,

police

Success of OutreachWays clients hear about Counseling Services

UHCL Faculty – 37%Other UHCL students – 30%UHCL Staff – 27%Class Visits – 22%Rolly Displays – 19%Orientation – 17%

Non-Outreach EngagementExtended hours – Open 8:30am to 7pm M-ThFree personal counseling for current

studentsindividual, couples, group

Walk-in crisis available during office hoursCouples counseling to student/non-student

dyadsAlumni participation in group counseling

($40/mo)Psychiatrist 3 hrs/wk – ($40 eval, $15 follow-

up)