1. 1 There’s an App for That: Innovative Methods for Reaching Students Karen M. Taylor, PhD ( Sadi Fox, B.A., David Pascale-Hague, M.S., Kadian Sinclair-Miracle, M.S., Samuel Beasley, M.A., Basak Kacar-Khamush, M.A.) Expanding the Concept of Outreach Social Media Specialized Committees The TechReach and Stigma Reduction committees work to develop creative projects that address students’ concerns in unique ways. The TechReach committee also manages the CCS website. The Stigma Reduction committee has been involved in a variety of campaigns to address mental health stigma and improve help seeking attitudes. For example, this committee has been pivotal in getting advertisements on suicide prevention on all OSU campus buses. A CCS psychiatrist composes a monthly blog that focuses on a variety of topics written in a scholarly but accessible manner. Previous topics have included the power of group therapy, hidden costs of marijuana use, and ways to manage stress. Drop-In Workshops Blog The “OSUCCS App” provides a snapshot view of CCS’ services and includes tips for improving wellness, mindfulness and relaxation exercises students can use to manage stress and develop coping skills in the moment. Therapists can direct students to the app during phone triage, providing students with another resource to stay connected with our services. Outreach programming expands the “in-house” services that University Counseling Centers (UCCs) provide in order to connect with students who may well never step foot in the office. Expansion of services beyond traditional programming to provide “unconventional clinical services” greatly expands the contact UCCs can make with a much larger segment of the student population. In an effort to reach out to a greater number of students Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) has developed a number of novel programs that help reach underserved students and helps the center to better connect with the campus community as a whole. We currently offer five different drop-in-when-you-are-able workshops on five weekdays and these include topics such as beating anxiety, beating depression, mindfulness for stress management, relaxation station, and stress and time management. Workshops are all open to enrolled OSU students. No registration or prior appointment is needed! Phone Triage Phone triage consists of a brief conversation in which a students’ presenting concern is assessed and appropriate referrals are made. Appointments are provided within 48 hours of students’ requests. Mobile App Creative Outreach “Recess” is an event encouraging positive play, wellness, and mental health for the OSU community and included arts, sharing stories, eating trail mix, blowing bubbles, and board breaking. “Movember” consisted of various events throughout the month of November to highlight men’s mental health and included presentations and discussions to engage male students. “Let’s Talk” is hosted by CCS in the Office of International Affairs to provide students who may not seek mental health treatment the opportunity to chat with one of our staff. The program underscores that Let’s Talk is NOT therapy but is an opportunity to consult with one of our staff members about a specific concern. The students of today are wired through social media. CCS has implemented a number of innovative social media programs over the past few years. Using social media allows us to expand our reach to students who are not in the 6% of the population served by traditional CCS programming. Facebook We post status updates about events related to CCS and the campus community including pictures from our fun events to engage students’ interests. YouTube Videos from group therapy leaders explain who the group is for and what group therapy provides. These videos serve to demystify group therapy and allows students to “meet” the group leader before ever attending a session. Twitter We tweet quotes, motivational pictures, events, and pictures of students interacting with our staff and services. All students can follow us on Twitter and re-tweet our posts! Pinterest We have boards related to mindfulness, uplifting words, ways to study easier, relaxing music, and more!