Carson City has allocated a $20,000 grant to support mental health services for students at Western Nevada College (WNC) through the WNC Foundation. The initiative offers free mental health counseling via BetterMynd for the 2024-25 academic year.
The introduction of these services has been met with significant student engagement, including participation in 50-minute therapy sessions and exploration of online resources. WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe stated, “We feel it’s important to provide confidential mental health care access to our students so they can be comfortable with receiving the care they need to be successful in their lives and education.”
This funding is part of an annual grant from Carson City’s Community Support Services aimed at enhancing citizens’ quality of life by supporting nonprofits that offer essential services like mental health care. Mayor Lori Bagwell highlighted the importance of addressing mental health issues, stating, “From our perspective, mental health issues rose to the top in some of our community health and needs assessments.”
Students can access BetterMynd’s personalized online therapy through WNC’s wellness page, which includes flexible scheduling options for counseling sessions with a diverse network of clinicians. As Western Nevada College lacks its own student therapy center within the Nevada System of Higher Education, this service addresses a critical need.
Lauren Stevens, WNC Academic Advising and Access Director, remarked on the partnership’s significance: “WNC’s partnership with BetterMynd represents a significant step forward in expanding the support available to students.” The program aims to empower students by providing tools for personal growth and academic success.
With growing awareness around mental health needs, WNC is committed to offering expanded resources and support. This funding will facilitate remote access to convenient mental health services, enabling students to integrate these into their schedules.
