By Stephanie Starks | Staff Writer
As students prepare for another semester at Baylor, the transition back to college can bring academic pressure, homesickness, anxiety and uncertainty. A 2025 survey by U.S. News & World Report found that 70% of college students in the United States have struggled with mental health every school year, but only 37% seek care at school.
Baylor’s Counseling Center and Care Team offer students multiple free resources for navigating mental health concerns, whether through a crisis or just in need of additional support.
Oklahoma City junior Nilay Kolli says that the university can help you through a lot of different struggles.
“There’s something for everything,” Kolli said. “Any mental health problem you have, I feel like Baylor has something or another to help you through that.”
The Counseling Center is staffed by licensed mental health professionals and offers many readily available services.
“From the perspective of students walking in, it’s easy to get started,” Assistant Director of the Counseling Center Ed Rogers said. “It’s free, it’s confidential. We have individual therapy, group therapy and online telehealth. There are many opportunities that the Counseling Center offers to Baylor’s students.”
Rogers said students do not need to wait until they are experiencing a major crisis to seek help.
“You don’t have to be in a crisis; it does not have to be some sort of major concern,” he said. “If you need support, we have a whole team of licensed professionals who are ready to assist you. Come see us. We’ll help you get figured out where the right place is to go.”
During a student’s first appointment, a clinical team member explains the services available through the Counseling Center and works with the student to determine an appropriate plan. The initial appointment typically lasts between 30 minutes and one hour, depending on the student’s needs.
Rogers emphasized the support group therapy can bring to students.
“I think that people often do not understand the kind of change and transformation that happens in a group setting,” he said. “Hearing other people’s experiences can help you feel less anxious about these next steps.”
The Counseling Center is not the only resource available to students. Baylor’s Care Team connects students with resources and support for challenges they may experience on or off campus.
McAllen senior Lauren Valencia said her visit to the Care Team helped her identify ways to better manage her mental health.
“[The Care Team] told me to get more sleep,” Valencia said. “They also told me that if you feel like you need a break from your classes, you can talk to professors and staff. Being able to talk to people about what I needed is something I had to do in order to take care of my mental health.”
Valencia said she has also found support from other students at Baylor.
“The community itself is also very supportive,” Valencia said. “You can just go up to anyone and just start talking, and they’ll more than likely hear you out. Everyone is just very willing to be helpful and be a shoulder to cry on or like someone to lean on.”
The University Counseling Center and Care Team serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Counseling services are designed to address students’ short-term therapeutic needs, and staff can refer students to additional care when necessary.
The Counseling Center and Care Team are located on the second floor of the McLane Student Life Center. Students can visit the offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. A Baylor student ID is required to enter the SLC.
