Bellus Academy Launches Student Assistance Program to Support Mental Health and Help Students Navigate Life and Work Challenges

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As mental-health issues ranging from stress, depression and anxiety to crisis situations continue to rise on U.S. college campuses, Bellus Academy is launching a Student Assistance Program at its California and Kansas academies. In partnership with Morneau Shepell, a leading provider of technology-enabled human resources services, the Bellus Academy Student Assistance Program provides 24-hour, 7-days a week telephone and web access along with face-to-face counseling sessions for Bellus Academy students.

The Student Assistance Program addresses a sharp increase in depression and anxiety reported by students across the nation. A November 2019 report in University Business magazine noted the percentage of college students with previous diagnoses or treatments for depression increased from approximately 9% in 2009 to more than 20% in 2019. Last year, California passed a budget allocating $5.2 million for improving mental health services in the University of California system. Beyond serious mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, everyday stresses can hinder a student's ability to perform well in school. The Student Assistance Program at Bellus Academy aims to mitigate concerns before they reach a level that prompts a student to leave school.

The program was inspired by Lynelle Lynch, owner of Bellus Academy. "We realized we had an assistance program for our employees, but no such resource existed for students," Lynch said. "This program is all about helping the student address a concern before it becomes a crisis that preempts a student's education and ultimately achieving their career goal." The confidential support services are provided at no cost and can help students address a range of emotional and relational challenges including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and support for child/elder care. The program also provides tools to strengthen relationships and improve communication and work toward life goals.

The services are introduced to students during orientation. "The San Diego community has many resources in place to assist with crisis situations, but our goal is to help students cope with issues before they become a crisis," says Lauri Miville, director of people and culture at Bellus Academy. Morneau Shepell worked to develop a program – based on the success of its existing employee assistance program, LifeWorks, as well as its domestic and international student support programs – that was tailored to the needs of Bellus Academy's student population. "In today's increasingly fast-paced world, it can be challenging to practice self-care while balancing responsibilities at work and obligations at home," says Miville. "This program helps to address the challenge."

About Bellus Academy: Honored with the Intercoiffure Mondial Best Continental Academy award in 2015, Bellus Academy is an award-winning beauty and wellness institution dedicated to graduating career-ready professionals. Bellus Academy continues to partner with the highest caliber of experts, product lines and equipment manufacturers, raising the bar for educational training worldwide. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at bellusacademy.edu/about/consumer-information-disclosures.

About Morneau Shepell: Morneau Shepell is the leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that delivers an integrated approach to well-being through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing everything our clients need to support the mental, physical, social and financial well-being of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement and benefits consulting, actuarial and investment services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. Morneau Shepell is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.

SOURCE Bellus Academy