Student Government President Grace Kelly pitched the implementation of mental health modules at the recent UT System Student Advisory Council meeting on Sept. 6 and 7. 

During the meeting, Kelly presented mental health modules similar to the pre-existing sexual assault and alcohol modules required for incoming freshmen. Kelly said she has been spearheading the project at UT and has been working closely with the University’s Counseling and Mental Health Center. 

“What I brought to the table was, if we are able to accomplish this at a University level, this could also be an extension into the UT system,” said Kelly, a Plan II and human development and family sciences senior. “These resources are structured to fit the student’s needs at all universities but also have specific resources per each institution recognized within those modules as well.” 

The council consists of two student representatives from each UT System institution and meets three times a year, usually in Austin, according to the council’s website. Kelly said the student body president of each institution always attends with either the graduate student assembly president or the senate president. This past meeting was for pitching ideas, she said, and at the next meeting in November, the council will research and choose recommendations for the Board of Regents. 

“The way I posed the conversation was based on the success of our modules as the largest UT System school, it should be very feasible and very well-received by the Board of Regents,” Kelly said.