By Lindsey Piercy 
UK Now

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 16, 2023) — As University of Kentucky students return to campus, class and coursework, they will notice a new addition to Canvas.

Among the offerings in the educational platform, there is now a well-being tab (located on the left side of the browser). The goal is to promote and improve access to student wellness resources and services.

The initiative, launched by the Student Government Association (SGA) in partnership with the Office for Student Success, focuses on all aspects of well-being, including mental, physical, financial and more.

“The purpose of SGA is to serve all students and make sure they have a meaningful experience,” Lizzy Hornung, SGA president, said. “As students use Canvas every day, we hope this tab will be a first line of help for whatever they may need in a pinch to be successful.”

“SGA has been instrumental in developing this initiative, from bringing the idea to campus to overseeing implementation,” Kirsten Turner, vice president for Student Success, added. “The Canvas well-being tab provides students with even greater access to the array of services available on our campus to support their success on a holistic level in keeping with the mission of SGA and Student Success. “

The tab features a “Get HELP” section on how to find emergency resources, ask a question or get advice. Additionally, students will find relevant links to Talkspace and Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support (TRACS).

Talkspace is a confidential and secure online text and video chat therapy platform that offers access to mental health clinicians. With a network of thousands of credentialed clinicians, Talkspace is used by more than one million people — matching them with a licensed therapist that best suits their needs.

TRACS is a physical and virtual one-stop hub where students can get a referral for supportive services (housing, rent, utilities, food) or receive direct clinical support for a range of mental health needs and crises.

The well-being tab also includes information on recreation centers, financial literacy programs, supportive communities and networking opportunities.

“We picked a handful of resources that we felt could point students in any direction they needed to go — for any type of help,” Jason Marcus, SGA vice president, said. “We are hopeful that we can continue to promote the multitude of resources that UK offers to students to help them succeed.”

To explore a full list of resources and services available on campus, you can also visit the Student Success website.

At the University of Kentucky, students are at the center of all that we do. From the moment you become a Wildcat through graduation and beyond, the Office for Student Success is committed to supporting you. Comprised of five areas and 25 units, together, they have one vision — to help students live a life of meaning. Student Success works through an equitable, holistic and inclusive lens to design and deliver unparalleled services and support a diverse community of learners in achieving their wildest ambitions. In the Office for Student Success this is what we do — this is who we are. You can explore resources available to you here. If you have additional questions, you can reach a Student Success team member by calling the helpline 859-218-YouK (9685).