Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) sisters, Newman is expanding its mental health services beginning in January 2026.
The funding, provided by the ASC Foundation, will allow Newman to add a second day of in-person counseling for full-time students, whether they live on or off campus.
“We’re hoping to roll it out in January,” said Jeannie Ross, director of the Student Success Center. “Right now we have counseling on Thursday, so we’re hoping to add a Monday.”
The current Thursday counseling sessions are covered by a federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant. The new ASC grant will cover the cost of counseling for the additional day, which will be staffed by a different counselor to expand both availability and choice for students.
Ross said the expanded schedule is designed to reduce barriers that keep students from seeking help.
“It opens up some timeframes,” she said. “When I contacted the Mental Health of America (MHA), they said, ‘Well, can we do a Tuesday, Thursday?’ and the problem with that is if students have a conflict on Thursday, they’re going to have a conflict on Tuesday because of the class schedules.”
The grant itself was submitted by Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer Michael “Mick” Cayless, with guidance from Sister Therese Wetta, ASC, director of mission integration.
“Students today face many pressures and are increasingly anxious about life, many related to social media influence and instability in families and our country and the world,” Wetta said. “Economic situations also are causing more anxiety.”
The ASC Foundation
The ASC Foundation, established in 2003, awards grants to nonprofit organizations connected with the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.
“It is focused on service to the marginalized in areas of education, health care, parish ministry or social justice issues,” Wetta said.
Each year, the foundation’s coordinator sends a notice that applications are open. All grants must meet the established criteria.
“Do I believe Newman needs another day of providing face-to-face counseling? Definitely,” Wetta said. “A second person available for one day will help students resolve issues and grow into healthier persons.”
What’s available to Newman students
Newman currently offers 12 free counseling sessions per year to all full-time students, funded through the SAMHSA grant. Students start by scheduling an appointment with the Student Success Center, completing paperwork and then receiving a referral for services.
If a student prefers off-campus counseling, MHA works with Newman to provide that option. Students can also access UWill, a 24/7 online mental health platform funded by the Student Government Association.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, 49 students were referred for counseling, with 47 receiving services.
In the grant proposal, Cayless said appointment slots often fill quickly, so the added day will help ease that limitation. He also noted that increasing mental health support helps foster student wellness, retention and academic success.
For more information or to begin the counseling referral process, students may contact the Student Success Center by email at [email protected], by phone at 316-942-4291 extension 2318 or by visiting the Student Success Center on the first floor of Dugan Library.
Newman’s counseling services
If you or someone you know wants or needs to visit with a professional personal counselor, in-person counseling is available through Newman University.
