FOR RELEASE:
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA – The University of Providence has received a $100,000 grant from the Montana Healthcare Foundation to support new and innovative ways to assist students with their academic, mental, and physical well-being.
Like many small, private institutions, the University of Providence has been working to address a number of challenges facing American colleges and universities, including securing funds to support student success and retention initiatives. The campus advocate hired through this opportunity will coordinate both short and long-term care of students in need including student advocacy, mental health resources and student health care.
“This generous grant from the Montana Healthcare Foundation will help us respond more efficiently to the crisis facing the members of our UP student community who are struggling with their mental emotional well-being,” said Fr. Oliver Doyle, President. “Efficiency, however, must always be accompanied with compassion, a hallmark value of the University of Providence.”
Mental health services around the United States have become overburdened and under resourced in recent decades and have become exacerbated by the increase of technology among younger populations and the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, rural populations and young people have seen among the harshest impacts of this shift.
The resources and relationships developed through the campus advocate will help the nearly 500 students at the University of Providence and their families access appropriate health care services in the Great Falls area. This opportunity will serve low income and economically disadvantaged populations in Cascade County, as well as students of a diverse racial and ethnic background.
This is one of the Montana Healthcare Foundation’s early projects supporting the integration of behavioral health services in the higher education setting.
“I am so thankful and excited to be partnering with the Montana Healthcare Foundation on this important project,” states Dr. Joel Bluml, VP for Student Engagement and Athletics. “The University of Providence is building a proactive, team-based, wellbeing initiative that is focused on the whole person. Implementing programs and services designed to keep students on track inside and outside the classroom will allow increasing numbers of Argos to flourish and thrive at UP and beyond.”
The University of Providence (UP) is a private, Roman Catholic Liberal Arts University founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Providence. The University of Providence honors the Sisters’ vision today by providing a mission-driven education to those that need it the most. UP is located in Great Falls, Montana and offers both undergraduate and graduate level liberal arts programs and health programs. For more information visit www.uprovidence.edu.
