Published: August 31, 2023

UT Receives Grant Totaling $306,000 for Wellness Services

The University of Tampa was awarded a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that will provide Wellness Services with $102,000 every year for the next three years.

UT was awarded a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that will provide Wellness Services with $102,000 every year for the next three years.

The grant is titled the SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The program supports a comprehensive public health and evidence-based approach that enhances mental health services for all college students, prevents and reduces suicide and substance use disorders, promotes help-seeking behavior and improves the identification and treatment of at-risk college students.

Gina Firth, assistant vice president for wellness, said the funding will allow UT to enhance and expand its wellness services and hire an assistant director for wellness. The assistant director will have direct responsibility for coordinating campus-wide educational programming, with specific attention to emotional well-being.

“Support for student emotional well-being is vital for college students as they learn to manage the stress and academic pressures of higher education along with any personal challenges that may arise along the way,” said Firth. “Providing proactive resources and opportunities for building skills not only promotes a healthy learning environment but also empowers students to develop resilience, coping skills and a sense of belonging, which will improve student success.”