Care Team Services at Baylor
The student experience can, at times, include hardship, loss and drastic change. Thankfully, Baylor's Care Team is here to assist students when they need it.
The Department of CareTeam Services provides case managers who connect students to resources both on and off campus and offer holistic care through creating trusting relationships.
"Faculty, staff and sometimes students will refer students to our office for dealing with anxiety, depression, financial issues, relationship issues or any sort of mental health crisis that's affecting their schoolwork," Director of Care Team Services Meghan Becker shared. "We get students connected to the right resources. Life outside the classroom greatly impacts life inside the classroom."
Created as a department in December of 2019, the Care Team witnessed exponential growth when the COVID-19 pandemic changed university life and so many other facets of our students' daily routines. As of the end of April 2022, the team served 2,368 students in the current school year. This compares to 1,681 students at the same time last year - a 41 percent increase.
"Our hope is that students know we are here for them when they need it," Becker said.
"We are a good place to go when students don't know where to go. We are a place that builds trust and good rapport with students so we can make sure all their needs are met in a timely manner."
When students reach out to the Care Team, a case manager will respond to them through email and text to set up a meeting where the student has the opportunity to voice their struggles and concerns. After this, case managers determine what resources best fit the student's needs and will connect them accordingly.
A few students shared their personal experiences with the Care Team:
- "My case manager has helped me so much throughout the last year—she is the reason I am graduating in four years, or at all, honestly."
- "So grateful for my case manager, she seriously has made one of the hardest semesters mentally and physically so much better."
- "Care team is an amazing resource on campus. I think more of my peers would benefit from interactions with them."
Baylor's Care Team serves as an excellent resource for individuals who may not know where to turn when their world turns upside down.
"Ask for help. Say what you need. Even if you don't know what you need, express it and we'll get you connected to resources," Becker emphasized. "A student who thinks they're too far gone —noway. We have seen the entire spectrum. We love them all,care for them all and really work to get them connected to resources."
It is important to know that Care Team Case Managers are mandatory reporters with Title IX and are obligated to report if a student is having thoughts of self-harm or harm to other people.
For more on Care Team Services, visit: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BaylorUniv&layout_id=7