MSU Expands Student Support With Mantra Health
- Heather Harman
- Dec 4
- 3 min read
Minnesota State has expanded its student well-being services this semester with two major initiatives: the telehealth mental health platform Mantra Health and a newly created Parent Navigator position supporting pregnant and parenting students.
According to Acting Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Brian Jones, both efforts come from Minnesota State system-wide directives aimed at improving access to mental health care and basic needs support for students.
Jones explained that the timing for both programs was set by the Minnesota State System Office, which secured contracts and established the rollout schedule.
“We are fortunate on our campus,” he said. “We already provide a variety of resources such as basic needs, mental health, and general well-being services. These new additions simply expand that support.”
Mantra Health is designed to complement the services offered at MSU’s Counseling Center and Student Health Services, especially during periods when campus services reach full capacity. Jones noted that, as of last week, the Counseling Center had a waiting list extending to the end of the semester, limiting availability for ongoing appointments. Students can still complete intake sessions, but follow-up counseling slots are full.
“Mantra provides telehealth counseling, so it is accessible in a different way,” Jones said. “It offers extra capacity when students need help, and it is especially useful for students who are off campus, at home, or traveling.”
Through Mantra Health, students receive 12 free therapy sessions each academic year and access to 24/7 mental health support. The platform also introduces a new single stop benefits screener. This tool allows students to explore support options related to food insecurity, housing, physical health, finances, and other needs. Jones explained that the screening tool aligns with resources already available on the university’s Basic Needs website, but offers a faster and more centralized entry point.
He also emphasized that because Mantra is available at institutions across the Minnesota State system, many transfer students may already be familiar with it.
The university has also introduced a Parent Navigator, a role created in response to state legislation encouraging higher education institutions to better support students who have dependents. The position is held by Natalie Shute, who is housed in Student Health Services and connected to many campus and community resources.
“Parenting can be very challenging,” Jones said. “Providing a clear go to person helps parents with concerns that traditional college students do not typically face. These include childcare, affordable health care, food access for their children, or unique physical and mental health needs.”
He added that student parents often struggle to identify where to go for help, even when multiple resources exist. Increasing visibility is a major goal of the initiative.
To ensure that all students, including first generation, international, and nontraditional students, are aware of these new services, MSU plans to incorporate information into First Year Seminar classes, update the Basic Needs website, and promote the programs through the MAV Life app. The university will also train academic advisors, emergency grant coordinators, health services staff, and other personnel to ensure they can direct students to the correct resources.
“We want anyone a student might talk to, whether it is an advisor or a peer leader, to know these resources,” Jones said.
Jones also highlighted the role of student organizations in spreading awareness.
“If you hear about a resource from another student, it is often more believable,” he said.
He pointed to the athletics department’s green bandana initiative, which signals that student athletes are willing to talk openly about mental health, as an example of peer support that can expand across campus.
Looking ahead, Jones hopes the new initiatives will reduce barriers, increase access and help students stay enrolled and on track to graduation.
“By adding capacity through remote and online services, more students can be served,” he said. “And the 24/7 access is one of the most important parts. Students can get help even when campus offices are closed.”
Jones concluded by encouraging students to reach out when they need support.
“Middle of the semester gets really hard,” he said. “That is not because you are not smart. It is because everything lands on you at once. Talk to people you trust. You do not have to feel like you are alone.”
With Mantra Health and the new Parent Navigator role, MSU aims to build a more supportive and inclusive environment for all students, including first year students, international students and parents balancing coursework and family responsibilities.
Read the original story in full here.