East Tennessee State University’s Counseling Center is expanding its mental health resources with new digital tools, crisis support options and outreach programs designed to reach more students and strengthen campus wellness.
According to Counseling Center staff member Sarah Bedingfield, the center recently introduced a series of services — including the Boost mental health app, the Togetherall peer-support network and a forthcoming crisis text line — to complement existing counseling and crisis response resources.
“At the end of last semester, we did kind of a soft launch, but we’re really pushing now,” Bedingfield said. “It’s a web of services.”
Boost, a free app available to all ETSU students, allows users to complete mental health assessments, access educational videos and practice mindfulness through features such as a “Zen room.” Bedingfield said the platform helps students manage stress, anxiety and overall wellness independently.
The university is also introducing Togetherall, a web-based peer network that connects students with users nationwide and internationally. The platform is monitored by clinical counselors who can respond to concerning posts or alert students to crisis resources if needed.
“If there are red-flag words or something that comes up, clinical counselors can check in and help get them connected,” Bedingfield said. “It’s really about helping students feel less alone.”
Both services integrate with BucsPress 2, ETSU’s crisis response program, allowing students to immediately contact a crisis therapist if they need urgent support.
In addition, the Counseling Center plans to launch a round-the-clock crisis text line within the coming weeks. Bedingfield said the new option is intended to reach students who may feel more comfortable texting rather than calling.
“We feel like that’s going to catch some people who don’t want to make a phone call,” she said.
The expansion comes as universities nationwide work to increase access to mental health resources. Bedingfield noted that many students experiencing depression or loneliness never visit a counseling office but are more likely to use digital tools or peer networks.
The Counseling Center is also offering new workshops, group sessions and outreach programs focused on mindfulness, identity development and student success. Bedingfield said the goal is to frame mental health as a proactive part of overall well-being rather than only crisis intervention.
“With mental health, it’s holistic,” she said. “If my mental health isn’t good, my physical health is going to suffer and vice versa.”
University surveys show counseling services can influence student retention, with many students reporting that accessing support helped them remain enrolled and complete their studies.
Long-term plans include expanding partnerships across campus. The center recently added Outreach Coordinator Kai Hudgens-Smith to strengthen collaborations, including work with the Jordan Center, where an embedded counselor is already supporting first-generation students. Bedingfield said the center hopes to expand embedded counseling into residence halls, academic colleges and other campus spaces to increase visibility.
“Our big goal has been just to increase visibility — letting students know we’re here and that there’s something for everyone,” she said.
Students can learn more about counseling services, schedule needs assessments or explore upcoming workshops by visiting the ETSU Counseling Center website or by stopping by the Counseling Center in Room 326 of the D.P. Culp Student Center.
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