In this episode of Breaking Silos, host Shane Baglini welcomes Taylor Stakes, Media Production Manager at TimelyCare, to discuss how mental health services are directly tied to student success and graduation rates. Taylor shares insights from TimelyCare’s research, which found that 73 percent of students believe access to mental health services improves their chances of graduating. Despite this, many institutions still treat mental health support as a secondary resource rather than an essential part of student success. This episode unpacks why that mindset needs to shift and how marketers, student affairs professionals, and university leaders can better integrate mental health messaging into their overall communication strategies.
In this episode of Breaking Silos, host Shane Baglini welcomes Taylor Stakes, Media Production Manager at TimelyCare, to discuss how mental health services are directly tied to student success and graduation rates.
Taylor shares insights from TimelyCare’s research, which found that 73 percent of students believe access to mental health services improves their chances of graduating. Despite this, many institutions still treat mental health support as a secondary resource rather than an essential part of student success. This episode unpacks why that mindset needs to shift and how marketers, student affairs professionals, and university leaders can better integrate mental health messaging into their overall communication strategies.
While universities often focus on financial aid, academic advising, and career services as retention strategies, mental health support is just as critical. Students struggling with anxiety, depression, or stress are at higher risk of dropping out, yet many institutions still view mental health as an optional support rather than an integral part of student success.
TimelyCare’s research found that nearly three out of four students believe access to mental health services improves their likelihood of graduating. When students feel supported, they are more likely to stay enrolled, persist through challenges, and complete their degrees. Universities that prioritize mental health services aren’t just providing a resource—they’re making a strategic investment in student outcomes.
One of the biggest challenges universities face is limited resources. Budget cuts, understaffed counseling centers, and increasing demand for mental health support make it difficult to provide comprehensive services to every student who needs them. As a result, many students either don’t know help is available or can’t access it when they need it most.
TimelyCare and other digital mental health providers help bridge this gap by offering 24/7 access to counseling and well-being coaching. These services don’t replace on-campus counseling centers but rather supplement them, ensuring that students can always find support—even in the middle of the night.
By investing in scalable mental health solutions, universities can increase access, improve retention, and foster a more supportive campus culture.
Even when universities offer robust mental health resources, many students don’t take advantage of them simply because they don’t know they exist. This is where higher ed marketers and communicators play a vital role. Institutions must actively promote mental health services, integrating them into broader campus messaging rather than relegating them to a student affairs webpage that few students visit.
Taylor shared the example of James Madison University (JMU), where the marketing team proactively promoted mental health resources long before a crisis occurred. By normalizing conversations about mental health and embedding these services into campus culture, JMU ensured that students knew where to turn for support when they needed it.
Key strategies for promoting mental health services include:
One of the biggest barriers to providing mental health services is staffing. Many universities don’t have enough counselors to meet student demand, leading to long wait times or limited availability. This can be especially problematic for students who need immediate support.
TimelyCare offers a scalable solution by providing on-demand mental health counseling, allowing students to choose providers who align with their lived experiences. This flexibility ensures that students can find a counselor they relate to, improving engagement and outcomes.
Other ways universities can expand mental health access include:
Scaling mental health resources is not just about adding more counselors—it’s about using technology and partnerships strategically to ensure students always have access to support.
As universities face growing enrollment challenges, student retention is more critical than ever. Mental health support is no longer a “nice-to-have” resource—it’s a core component of student success. Institutions that prioritize mental health will see higher retention rates, stronger student engagement, and better academic outcomes.
Marketers and communicators play a key role in breaking the stigma, raising awareness, and ensuring students know where to find support. By making mental health resources a visible and integrated part of campus life, universities can create an environment where students feel supported, empowered, and more likely to persist through challenges.
Guest Name: Taylor Stakes, Media Production Manager, Timelycare
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorstakes/
Guest Bio: Taylor is a higher-ed creative professional, strategist, and media storyteller with a passion for using digital content to engage, educate, and inspire. With over a decade of experience in higher education communications and marketing, Taylor specializes in crafting compelling narratives that bridge the gap between institutional goals and audience needs.
Taylor leads the content creation strategy and output for TimelyCare’s self-care content, developing innovative multimedia resources that support student well-being and institutional success. Taylor is also an adjunct communications professor, bringing real-world industry experience into the classroom. Taylor's approach to education and content creation emphasizes hands-on learning, creative problem-solving, and the ethical integration of emerging technologies like AI.
With a deep understanding of both the creative and strategic aspects of marketing and communications, Taylor brings a fresh perspective to discussions on digital storytelling, student engagement, mental health, and the evolving media landscape in higher education.