Today, Georgia Tech opened the doors to the new Center for Assessment, Referral, and Education (CARE), which will serve as a single point of entry for students to access mental health resources and services on campus and in the community.

The need for a single pathway was identified by Georgia Tech’s Mental Health Task Force, and reiterated as part of the Institute’s A Path Forward — Together initiative. CARE’s mission is to provide easier access to campus resources for undergraduate and graduate students at no cost.

Students seeking mental health support or services from the Counseling Center or Stamps Psychiatry clinic need to first visit CARE for an initial assessment appointment and referral. During the initial visit, students will be asked to complete paperwork, and then will immediately be given an appointment with a licensed therapist who specializes in college mental health and assessment. Once the intake process is completed, students will receive an individualized treatment plan that will include referrals to on- and off-campus resources.

“We are excited that CARE is opening ahead of schedule and to welcome Tiffiny Hughes-Troutman back to the Division of Student Life as the new director of CARE,” said John M. Stein, vice president for Student Life and the Brandt-Fritz Dean of Students Chair. “Her expertise and passion in the mental health field are exactly what we need to direct the opening of the center and support our students’ mental health and well-being.”

Hughes-Troutman is no stranger to Georgia Tech. She worked for eight years as the assistant director for outreach and wellness and as a staff therapist for the Counseling Center. She then served as director of health behavior with Health Initiatives for two years before accepting the role this summer as CARE director.

“I am thrilled that CARE offers a pioneering solution to the mental health demands on campus by providing immediate access to high-quality assessment and care, reducing barriers to treatment through a focus on mental health equity, and promoting help-seeking for the bright and resilient students we serve at Georgia Tech,” said Hughes-Troutman. “Mental health and well-being is our top priority, and we are committed to helping students thrive and meet their academic and personal goals.”

Students who have already been seen by someone in the Counseling Center or in Stamps Psychiatry before the fall 2019 semester and are established in those systems for the past six months do not need to start over again with the CARE process. Faculty and staff are also encouraged to consult with CARE staff about on-campus mental health resources and individual student concerns. Staff members will then work with other offices on campus to ensure that the concerns are addressed.

CARE’s grand opening will be celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 9, 2019, at 1 p.m. in the Smithgall Student Services (Flag) Building atrium. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to join the Division of Student Life and CARE as President Ángel Cabrera introduces the new facility to the campus community.

For more information about CARE, visit care.gatech.edu.