UK’s suite of student mental health resources includes new virtual therapy option

By Nancy Stephens Jan. 12, 2026

Two students wearing headphones sit in chairs by large windows, one using a tablet in the foreground while another works on a laptop in the background.

Carter Skaggs | UK Photo

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2026) — With the start of the new year and spring semester, Student Well-Being in the Office for Student Success is continuing its ongoing efforts to expand student access to a variety of mental health services. 

UK has recently partnered with BetterMynd to provide students with free, confidential teletherapy sessions. BetterMynd supplements on-campus mental health resources by providing highly personalized online therapy, including access to 50-minute scheduled counseling sessions, a wide network of mental health clinicians and the scheduling flexibility needed for students to make meaningful progress with mental health challenges. Sessions can take place anywhere the student is most comfortable, during the day, at night or on weekends.

“Many students are already aware of the UK Counseling Center and TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support) as the gateway for referrals to services, but there are other available mental health resources that we encourage students to take advantage of,” said Dan Bureau, UK associate vice president for Student Well-Being. “Staff in Student Well-Being work closely as a team and with colleagues across campus and in the community to provide a range of options for mental health support, helping us meet students where they are and addressing their unique needs. We’re excited to add BetterMynd as a new partner in this vital work.”

UK previously used Talkspace for its virtual counseling through December 2025. Students who use Talkspace now have full access to BetterMynd and receive all of the benefits that come with this new platform. Students with questions about the transition can visit the website FAQs.

BetterMynd joins UK’s existing suite of mental health resources:

TRACS: TRACS is a physical and virtual one-stop shop where students can come for a quick referral to support services or receive direct clinical support for a range of mental health needs and crises.

Counseling Center: The Counseling Center offers groups, workshops and counseling to support student growth and assist with mental health.

University Health Service Behavioral Health: Clinicians manage the medication side of treatment for mental health issues.

After-hours crisis support: Students can access resources affiliated with UK and those in the Lexington community.

Let’s Talk: Let’s Talk is a drop-in opportunity for a brief, confidential, one-on-one conversation with a Counseling Center clinician; find the spring schedule online.

Headspace: Headspace is an online resource for meditation, sleep, focus and movement exercises.

Students who want to learn more about BetterMynd and get started can visit go.uky.edu/BetterMynd. Learn more about Student Well-Being at studentsuccess.uky.edu/well-being.

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 more than 40 units, the office is united by one vision — to help students live a life of meaning and purpose. Student Success designs and delivers unparalleled services and supports a community of learners in achieving their wildest ambitions. In the Office for Student Success, this is what we do — this is who we are. Explore Student Success resources.