Mental health resources available as midterms start

As University of North Georgia (UNG) students prepare for their midterm exams this week, Dr. Simon Cordery, director of Student Counseling, hopes they remember the wide array of mental health support available to them, should they feel overwhelmed.

This semester, UNG launched Nigel Cares, a mental health support hub, to complement the work of UNG's Student Counseling services. 

"We are trying to reach students in new ways," Cordery said. "Students can access these services outside normal business hours."

As part of the effort, all UNG students have access to the following:

• A 24/7/365 mental health support line for in-the-moment support and linkages to next steps, regardless of time of day or their location. The Nigel Cares support line is 833-910-3368.
• Up to five sessions of telehealth or in-person treatment sessions per issue provided at no cost by a network of licensed mental health clinicians.
• Virtual psychiatric clinics to offer assessment and medication management.
• Personal student navigators to assist with referral coordination and support.
• An online training and education tool designed exclusively for students.
• The Nigel Cares website, app and online wellness magazine with self-help tools and resources.
• Comprehensive campus programming and improved coordination of services.

Cordery said the Nigel Cares website features reliable information on body, food, mind, academics, self-help, relationships, money and sexual culture.

Nigel Cares is part of the larger University System of Georgia Mental Health Initiative backed by $11.5 million in Governor's Emergency Education Relief funding for the system's 26 institutions.

The support comes at a crucial time as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause stress for students. Cordery is eager to see students take advantage of these resources.

"It's much easier to get ahead of a problem if you seek help early," Cordery said. "Being proactive will produce a better outcome both emotionally and academically."

The access to telephone or video-based psychiatric care is a major benefit to students.

These services are in addition to those already offered by Student Counseling, which include individual and group therapy and counseling, suicide prevention and education, problem solving, and time management skills building.