Celebrating 10 Years of CARE: Supporting Student Mental Health on Campus

Published: January 8, 2025

The Counselors in Academic Residence Program (CARE), a partnership between the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) and the Office of the Provost at The University of Texas at Austin, celebrates a decade of enhancing mental health support for students. By embedding licensed mental health professionals within academic colleges and schools, CARE ensures that students can easily access support, making counseling a seamless part of the university experience.

CARE counselors are active members of their academic communities, helping students with concerns ranging from anxiety and depression to stress management and test anxiety. CARE offers individual counseling, workshops, referrals and outreach—tailored to meet students' needs. Since its inception, CARE has served thousands of students, providing vital support and education to address mental health stigma and build resilience.

Beginnings of CARE

Dr. David Laude, a chemistry professor at UT Austin, saw firsthand how non-academic challenges, particularly mental health concerns, impacted students’ success. Laude said, “In my years teaching large classes, like my 500-student chemistry course, I'd encourage students to reach out if they ever needed help. Many did, and I saw firsthand that their issues went far beyond academics, ranging from personal crises to, at times, significant mental health concerns. But back then, there was no structured way on campus to support these students within their college communities. I’d walk them to the Student Services Building myself as college advisors didn’t have the specialized training to handle complex mental health concerns.”

Several years later, when Laude joined the Provost’s Office and was tasked with improving four-year graduation rates, he understood that non-academic challenges, especially mental health concerns—were major barriers to student success. It was then that he saw an opportunity to support a new idea to create accessible environments within each college, where students could more comfortably seek the help they needed. Dr. Chris Brownson, then Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center and now AVP for Health and Well-being, partnered with Dr. Laude to develop the CARE concept, where mental health counselors would be placed within the academic colleges and schools, making mental health support more accessible. Dr. Laude provided pilot funding and CMHC launched CARE with counselors embedded in six colleges and schools. CARE counselors split their time between one-on-one counseling with students, working with college and school faculty, staff and administrators on efforts to bolster student mental health within the CSU, and promoting mental health awareness across the college.

Launching CARE: A Collaborative Effort

Bringing CARE to life required collaboration, strategic planning and dedication. Laura Dupuis, LCSW-S, was appointed as the CARE Program Director to lead its development.

At the time of her appointment, Dupuis was already working at CMHC with the Voices Against Violence program, which offers confidential advocacy, counseling, and group services to UT Austin students affected by interpersonal violence.

Toby LeBlanc, Abby Simpson, Mike Andorka, Jeni Wade, and Alicia Enciso Litschi were the first counselors, with Dupuis also providing counseling. CARE offices were located in the Moody College of Communication, McCombs School of Business, Cockrell School of Engineering, College of Natural Sciences, and Undergraduate College (formerly the College of Undergraduate Studies). One early challenge was finding office space that was accessible to students, close to advisors, yet still private.

Laura was pleasantly surprised at how well-received the program was. “Initially, we weren’t sure how staff would react to working alongside counselors, but they have always embraced our work and taken full advantage of these services.”

Toby LeBlanc, LPC-S, CARE Counselor for the McCombs School of Business, team lead and one of the program’s original counselors, also shared his reflections on its early days. “One of my most memorable moments was realizing just how deeply academic departments care about their students. While we knew they valued them, I was surprised by how invested staff members were in students' well-being and success. It was heartwarming to see their gratitude for having us in their spaces. Advisors, especially, appreciated having mental health professionals nearby and easily accessible for students who were struggling.” In its pilot phase, CARE operated on a limited three-year budget. This initial funding, however, was enough to demonstrate CARE’s value to students, faculty and deans alike. "In the early days, we joked about making CARE so indispensable that when our funding ran out, it would be impossible not to continue it,” says Laude. That vision became a reality as the program gained popularity, and eventually, permanent funding was secured.

Community Impact

Today, CARE is woven into the fabric of campus life, with counselors fully integrated within colleges. Assistant Dean Anneke Chy from the College of Natural Sciences notes, “The CARE team’s understanding of our college culture makes them invaluable allies. Together, we work to reduce stigma and improve access to mental health resources.”

In addition to positive feedback from faculty, students have been strong advocates for the program. One graduate student shared, “I really appreciate having a counselor right in my college. As a graduate student, I rarely go to other parts of campus, so it’s so convenient not having to travel far.” Another student added, “I love that she has office hours—I’ve stopped by a few times, and it’s always super convenient and helpful!” A third student mentioned, “She’s incredibly caring and understanding during our sessions. Her office setup feels comfortable and homey, making it easy to have one-on-one conversations.” Another student said, “He’s compassionate, and his advice has encouraged me to reflect on tough questions, helping me make well-informed decisions for my well-being.”

Success Stories and Community Engagement

These testimonials underscore the genuine compassion that CARE counselors have for their students.

In addition to helping with individual counseling, CARE has prioritized community engagement, ensuring students are aware of available resources from their very first days on campus. Participation in events like "Gone to CNS" and regular features in weekly newsletters keep mental health at the forefront, reinforcing the message that support is always accessible.

Looking to the Future

As we look ahead, CARE is committed to continuing its mission of supporting student mental health. With nearly 20 full-time counselors now housed within almost every academic college and school, CARE has expanded its reach.

Dupuis envisions a future where “we will continue to strengthen our relationships across the university while leveraging data to meet the evolving needs of new generations of students. “Our priority is to listen to students and create initiatives that genuinely reflect their needs and experiences.”

Join Us in Prioritizing Mental Health

As we celebrate ten years of CARE, we invite students, faculty and staff to explore the program and its invaluable resources. It’s essential for students to know that their mental health matters, and CARE is here to support you. Whether you’re dealing with stress, seeking guidance or simply want to learn more about maintaining mental well-being, we encourage you to reach out. Your well-being is our priority.

The journey of CARE is a testament to the importance of mental health support in academic settings. Together, we can create a culture that values well-being and enables every student to thrive.

Learn more about CARE and the programs provided by the Counseling and Mental Health Center.