Mental health should be a concern for all ages in every walk of life. For many people, being in university can be an emotionally taxing part of their life. But no matter how hard it can get, there are treatments that can help you through it, even if your schedule doesn’t allow for in-person treatment.
Fortunately, colleges and universities across the U.S. have been increasingly committed to providing campus mental health services to students. A 2022 survey revealed that approximately 77% of undergraduate students experienced moderate to serious psychological distress, with depression and anxiety being the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions in this population (impacting 35% and 27% of students, respectively).
There’s no shortage of problems in college that could contribute to mental health distress and disorder symptoms. There’s everything from overwhelming course loads to homesickness. While it may seem like you don’t have the time to prioritize your mental health, students at the University of California do have access to virtual mental health services. If you or a friend are experiencing difficulty, virtual treatment can help you along their mental health journey. This treatment is made available through your University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP).
We’ll talk about when UC students should seek virtual mental health services and how they’re accessible through UC SHIP, a comprehensive platform that can provide busy students with the support they need. We’ll also talk about what those virtual mental health services look like through Lightfully U.
Reasons to consider virtual mental health services while in school UC students should explore virtual mental health services
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I can handle it myself,” or “My problems are small compared to others”? These are just some of the thoughts that many college students have regarding their mental health and finding treatment. It can be easy to put off mental health treatment, but delaying treatment can oftentimes become detrimental. Your symptoms can interfere with your ability to turn in quality work, make meaningful connections with other students and make post-graduation plans.
Every type of mental health disorder can affect your experience as a UC student. All mental health symptoms are worthy of treatment. Virtual mental health services can significantly benefit:
- Students with busy schedules and limited access to transportation
- Students hoping to prevent symptoms from worsening
- Students who haven’t gone through mental health treatment before
- Students whose mental health is negatively impacting their academics and sleep schedule
- Students who need new coping strategies
- Students with jobs and limited free time
Accessing virtual mental health services through Lyra
One of the major reasons why many university students don’t seek the mental health treatment that they need is due to the cost. Many students can’t afford the price of services or their family’s insurance doesn’t cover the treatment. The good news is that UC students are automatically enrolled in UC SHIP. Under UC SHIP coverage, a student will have access to 24/7 mental health services via Lyra Health. These services include virtual and in-person therapy and mental health coaching.
The goal of any mental health service is to help you manage your mental health disorder symptoms and develop the skills you need to succeed in and out of school. Through Lyra Health, you will be asked to provide payment information, but you have access to its services for free. The payment information is needed in the event of late cancellations and missed visits.
Lightfully U is proud to support students through virtual mental health services
Lightfully U offers whole-person mental health treatment and support for adults and teens. Our Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) for college students is in-network with Lyra Health and available to all age-eligible UC SHIP members at no cost.
The vIOP provides effective mental health treatment through online services and sessions using process-based therapy to treat you as an entire person, not just your symptoms. It can help any student struggling to manage their mental health disorder or distress, including:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
- Trauma-related disorders
- Suicidality/self-harm behaviors
vIOP programming includes:
- Weekly one-on-one therapy sessions
- Biweekly family sessions
- 10 to 15 group sessions per week, led by a licensed provider
- Alumni resources and workshops
Lightfully U helps UC students through virtual mental health services
Being in college is already difficult. Adding mental health disorder symptoms on top of that can make it ever harder to look forward to crossing the stage with your degree. But virtual mental health services, like Lightfully U’s vIOP, help UC students manage their symptoms and continue working toward a successful future from the comfort of a dorm or bedroom.
With access to virtual mental health services through UC SHIP, students in the Golden State can take an important step in their mental health journey.
When you’re ready to reach out for help, Lightfully’s Admissions Concierge Team is here for you. We’ll take steps together to help you cope with college-related mental health struggles, and help you work toward the fullest, brightest version of you.