American University announced the launch of the Center for Well-Being Programs and Psychological Services as a new addition to community wellness, University officials wrote in an email to the AU community on Aug 18.
Known for short as the Well-Being Center, its aim is to “combine the functions of the Counseling Center and the Health Promotion and Advocacy Center (HPAC) into one integrated unit,” Well-Being Center Executive Director Jeff Volkmann, Director of Well-Being Outreach and Prevention Services Jacquelin Darby and Assistant Vice President of Campus Life Traci Calandrillo wrote, in an email sent out to the AU community by the Office of Campus Life.
The Well-Being Center will provide the “full range” of psychological services, including therapy via telehealth, Crisis Intervention (AU Protocol) and Victim/Survivor Advocacy Services. The well-being services that are provided include workshops and community outreach programs, peer health educators, Empower AU and wellness platforms such as You@American.
The University said that individual therapy, group therapy and single session appointments will continue to be offered by telehealth this fall, and students can also utilize private and secure spaces within the former Counseling Center space to access their appointments.
"We have consistently reduced wait times over the past two academic years, and also added a clinical case manager to our staff to assist students in accessing off-campus therapy when desired or recommended,” the Well-Being Center’s website said. “Access involves many factors, including providing quality care and diversity and inclusion; all of our commitments are part of our commitment to access.”
Offices within the Well-Being Center will continue at their current location in the Mary Graydon Center Room 214, and victim/survivor advocacy services, wellness promotion and outreach based at Hughes Hall 105.
“This new space, and the new opportunities it will facilitate, are critical to advancing the resources for students and creative collaborations,” the email said. “Bringing together our mental health and wellness services into an integrated Well-Being Center is a first step in helping us move towards that vision.”
