USD launches new 24/7 mental health support line, Coyote Care
The University of South Dakota has launched a new 24/7 mental health support line called Coyote Care, powered by Christie Campus Health.
USD students on- or off-campus, or abroad, can call the number 833-569-1686 and talk to licensed mental health professionals, receive unlimited clinical support, risk assessment, connections to therapy, emergency response, identify students of concern and reporting.
Coyote Care replaces USD’s former crisis line, which connected students to on-call counselors through the University Police Department.
While the support line provides immediate assistance to students in crisis, students seeking long-term mental health services can and should still reach out to the Student Counseling Center, whose team of licensed professionals offers a wide range of services including individual counseling, group therapy, prevention services and more, according to USD.
Debra Robertson, director of the Student Counseling Center, said the support line signifies an important step in ensuring students have access to immediate, 24/7 support from licensed mental health professionals.
“We are dedicated to providing a comprehensive system that not only connects students to crucial resources when they need them most, but also creates a supportive environment that places their mental health as a top priority,” Robertson said in a press release.
Christie Campus Health said in a press release that as the number of college students seeking mental health services continues to rise, the demand is outpacing the capacity at many counseling centers. USD’s program supports students and campus healthcare professionals by expanding and complementing on-campus mental health services.
Christie currently offers its mental health platform to more than 100 colleges and universities nationally and internationally.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: USD launches new 24/7 mental health support line, Coyote Care
