8:43 p.m.
Dear COEHD Community,
I need to provide you a brief update on recent COEHD leadership discussions concerning
mental health. Recent losses of our UTSA students remind us that people close to us may be
suffering from distress and perhaps we are unable to see or notice it or know what steps
or options are available. The tragic loss has sparked many questions causing some to
wonder if current methods and interventions are simply not enough. All the while, our
university continues to demonstrate care for the wellbeing of our community, providing
support and resources to our students, faculty, and staff in different but meaningful
ways. Moving forward, I am committed to supporting the university’s efforts through a
complementary strategy that prioritizes mental health and wellbeing of our students,
staff, and faculty. In a discussion this week with COEHD chairs and associate deans, I
communicated the need for our departments to work in unison to seek a more systematic
approach to mitigating the mental health issues and concerns that affect our community.
The plan largely involves integrating and optimizing resources the university already
provides in a more lock-step manner but also considering other measures to more fully
understand, manage, and respond to mental health stressors that our community members are
experiencing. I recognize too we have depth of expertise in our counseling department as
well as others that I know will be incredibly valuable as we build a plan to address the
problem more effectively. College leaders will be meeting with institutional
representatives over the next few weeks to begin the conversation on wellbeing and
communicating our interests as a college in creating a more responsive culture.
Ideas discussed to this point include:
* More frank and direct acknowledgement of stressors (e.g., finances, personal
relationships, family obligations, physical health) and explanation of related
resources/assistance in class, Canvas course shells, and in the syllabus
* Centrally surveying stressors that impact COEHD students at a class level
* Identifying training and workshops for faculty and staff on coping, managing,
awareness, and reporting
I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and engagement in this very important matter. Please be
reminded again of the resources available to our community at the link below and see a few
talking points that may be helpful. I look forward to enlisting all of you in shining a
very bright light on mental health in COEHD. More to come.
Mario Torres
https://www.utsa.edu/mental-health-resources/
• Provide Resources: “We have resources available if you need support. Whether it’s
counseling services, support groups, or other forms of assistance, please don’t hesitate
to reach out to Wellbeing Services, Wellness 360, Student Assistance, or Timelycare or ask
for more information.”
• Offer Flexibility and Support: “If you need any accommodations or adjustments during
this time, please let us know. We’re here to support you in any way we can.”
• Encourage Self-Care: “Remember to take care of yourself. It’s important to find moments
of rest and self-care amidst everything that’s happening. Sometimes it is helpful to be
with friends or loved ones during times like this”
--
Mario Torres, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Education and Human Development
President's Distinguished Professorship
The University of Texas at San Antonio
One UTSA Circle, Main Building 3.304
San Antonio, TX 78249
Office: 210.458.5200
Fax: 210.458.4487
Mario.Torres2@utsa.edu<mailto:Mario.Torres2@utsa.edu>