‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’: CEHD Supports Students’ Mental Health

Our College measures student success by academic achievements — but more importantly, by our students’ well-being. Recognizing the critical role that mental health plays in academic and personal success, we offer robust support through our Counseling and Assessment Clinic (CAC) and Marilyn Kent Byrne Student Success Center.

The Counseling and Assessment Clinic is a cornerstone of our mental health services, providing an affordable, confidential and supportive environment for students in our College and across campus, as well as children, adolescents and families in the local community. Services include individual counseling and group therapy with unlimited sessions, as well as the assessment of conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression and learning disabilities so patients can gain insights into their needs and reach out to the appropriate support.

In April 2023, the CAC opened a new location close to the Texas A&M campus and has partnered with advisors to promote its services to undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. David Kahn, CAC director, emphasized the clinic’s commitment to providing a supportive environment and noted their dedication to equipping students with effective strategies to manage their mental health challenges and ensure they feel comfortable and supported.

Dr. David Kahn with graduate students working at the CAC.

The clinic also serves as a training, teaching and research ground for graduate students with support from our Department of Educational Psychology. Students from the School Psychology and Counseling Psychology programs gain hands-on experience under the supervision of licensed psychologists to prepare for their future roles in the field.

The Byrne Student Success Center offers a comprehensive approach to student well-being for both undergraduate and graduate students that complements services provided by the CAC. While the center is known for its academic support services — such as individualized counseling and career support — it also plays a pivotal role in promoting mental health. “We look at the student from a holistic perspective; mental health support, coping tools, and psychoeducation are some of these supporting pieces,” said Joycelyn Anderson, Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor, embedded at the Byrne Center via Texas A&M University Health Services.

With many students preparing for careers that involve significant levels of stress and exhaustion, the Byrne Center extends its support beyond a student’s time in college to also prepare them for future careers, equipping them with tools to manage pressure, build healthy relationships and avoid burnout, perfectionism, anxiety and imposter syndrome in the professional world.

The center provides strategic referrals to free campus resources, co-curricular involvement opportunities and leadership development — all of which contribute to a well-rounded and fulfilling student experience. They also refer those in need of more specialized support to the Counseling and Assessment Clinic.

In addition to one-on-one support, the Byrne Center hosts workshops that further enhance student well-being such as a lunch and learn focused on the connection between physical and mental health. This event, held in partnership with our Physical Education Activity Program (PEAP), featured a Zumba class followed by a lab session that demonstrated the correlation between physical and mental health.

Together, the CAC and Byrne Student Success Center embody CEHD’s dedication to creating a supportive environment for students. By offering accessible and comprehensive mental health services along with success support and effective training, we strive to ensure every student has the resources to excel academically and personally so they can thrive on campus and beyond.

Learn more about our Counseling and Assessment Clinic by clicking here.

For media inquiries, contact Ruben Hidalgo.