Making mental health a priority

Mission

To assemble a Mental Health Initiative Task Force focused on a university planning effort aimed at expanding mental health resources on the Valdosta State University campus. This group of students, faculty, and staff is committed to ensuring all students have 24/7/365 access to virtual and face-to-face psychiatric care and clinical counseling services. They are also committed to ensuring a safe campus for all students and supporting students’ mental, physical, and emotional health. This group will assist with the JED Campus and Health Minds Surveys and Assessment, analyze the results and recommendations, and develop a strategic plan for the next five years with the help of the University System of Georgia and the JED Foundation.

About

The Mental Health Initiative Task Force was commissioned by Valdosta State University’s President Dr. Richard Carvajal after the University System of Georgia launched a comprehensive initiative to significantly expand student mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Carvajal issued his call for a comprehensive university planning effort in December 2020. This task force is charged with creating a strategic plan for the next five years with the help of the University System of Georgia and the JED Foundation. The task force is comprised of students, faculty, and staff with varying backgrounds who have one common goal: making sure every student on our campus has access to mental health care.

Dr. Vince Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Dr. Tricia Hale, Director of Counseling and Deputy Chief Officer for Student Affairs are serving as co-chairs of the task force.

“Supporting our students is a top priority at VSU, and this is a great resource we’re excited to provide,” says Dr. Vince Miller, the Vice President for Student Affairs at Valdosta State University. “Our students have done a wonderful job abiding by mask requirements and social distancing expectations, and we know how draining that can be mentally and physically. We want to make sure they have someone to talk with and know they are never alone.”

You can see our strategic plan here.

Fall 2021 Update

The task force is currently working on evaluating and implementing the strategic plan and action item recommendations given by JED Campus.

Mental Health Training

There are several mental health trainings available for employees and students at VSU click here to learn more.

Task Force Members

Dr. Vince Miller (Co-Chair), Vice President for Student Affairs
Dr. Tricia Hale (Co-Chair), Director of Counseling, Deputy Chief Officer for Student Affairs
Dr. Katharine Adams, Faculty, Human Services
Mr. Justin Arrington, Staff, Legal Affairs
Ms. Demi Bidot-Miles, Student, Student Government Association
Mrs. Margaret Duncan, Staff, Access Office
Mr. Barrie Fitzgerald, Staff, Institutional Research
Ms. Nicole Foster, Staff, Student Health Center
Mr. Robert Freidhoff, Staff, Student Success
Mr. Jason Gaskins, Staff, Information Technology
Mrs. Lynette Hepburn-Richardson, Staff, Career Opportunities
Mr. Jerome Joynes-Walker, Student, Graduate Assistant - First-Year Programs
Ms. Cassie Katen, Student, Student Government Association
Ms. Tabitha McCoy, Staff, FamilyWorks Clinic
Mrs. Rebecca Murphy, Staff, Health Promotions and Wellness
Ms. Taylor Powell, Staff, Office of Strategic Communications
Mr. Anthony Reid, Student, Student Government Affairs
Ms. Hailey Wilkinson, Student, Student Government Association
Mrs. Holly Wright, Staff, Counseling Center