Indiana University South Bend’s Student Counseling Center has received a transformative three-year grant from the Valinhos Foundation to strengthen mental health services for the campus community. The funding will help implement an expanded mental health framework, providing vital support for the university’s more than 4,600 students.
Kory Vitangeli, Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement, expressed excitement about the new resources: “We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with the Valinhos Foundation and look forward to an incredible partnership.” The grant will allow the university to implement a stepped-care approach to mental health, ensuring students have access to the care and resources they need.
Key elements of the Titan Stepped Care approach include:
Consultation with The Jed Foundation: The university will collaborate with The Jed Foundation to work towards becoming a JED campus, an initiative focused on promoting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults.
Paid Internship Opportunities: The creation of paid mental health and wellness-focused student internships will provide valuable hands-on experience in various areas on campus.
Titan Care Manager Role: A new Titan Care Manager position within the Student Engagement Division will connect students with mental health care services, community resources, and campus support systems.
Mental Health First Aid Awareness: The university will partner with the IU President’s Mental Health Task Force and community organizations to promote mental health first aid education and awareness among students, faculty, and staff.
Julie Veldman Harris, executive director of the Valinhos Foundation, emphasized the grant’s alignment with the foundation’s mission: “This grant fits with the goals of our foundation and will enable IU South Bend to prevent mental health challenges, increase the availability of care, and leverage evidence-based mental health care.”
The Valinhos Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on the mental health of children, young adults, and families across Indiana. IU South Bend, as the region’s premier public university, will now be better equipped to address the mental health needs of its diverse student body, ensuring they have access to the support and services essential for academic and personal success.
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