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Colleges and universities nationwide are facing a mental health crisis. According to a recent U.S. News/Generation Lab report, 70% of �Ӱ�ֱ���� have struggled with mental health since starting college. At Florida Atlantic University, the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Center provides �Ӱ�ֱ���� with mental health services to help improve and maintain their mental well-being. The CAPS Center saw more than 2,100 �Ӱ�ֱ���� for a total of 11,107 appointments during the 2023-24 academic year. During the 2024 fall semester alone, it hosted 19 therapy groups, serving 116 �Ӱ�ֱ����.

To accommodate �Ӱ�ֱ����’ needs and provide a more inviting space, the University recently renovated the CAPS Center at the Boca Raton campus.

“Student success is at the heart of everything we do,” said then- Interim FAU President Stacy Volnick. “Supporting our �Ӱ�ֱ����’ health and safety is a top priority, and these renovated spaces reflect our unwavering commitment to provide a positive campus environment where every student has the resources to thrive.”

The renovation brought numerous enhancements to the center, including nine additional therapy offices; two rooms dedicated to teletherapy; a private waiting room; and a spa-like relaxation room, complete with virtual reality headsets, areas for meditation and yoga, and four state-of-the-art massage chairs. Since it opened in October, the relaxation space has welcomed more than 300 �Ӱ�ֱ���� in nearly 700 visits.

The center also integrated advanced technology into group therapy rooms, which expanded its clinical capacity, improved accessibility for �Ӱ�ֱ���� using telehealth services, and enhanced privacy to ensure �Ӱ�ֱ���� feel cared for and supported.

“Beyond functionality, the aesthetic transformation of the center is significant,” said Laura DiPasquale, Ph.D., director of CAPS. “The design is warm and inviting, fostering a therapeutic environment that challenges the misconceptions some �Ӱ�ֱ���� have about therapy. Many come in expecting a cold, clinical atmosphere, feeling apprehensive about discussing personal struggles with a stranger. However, this welcoming space helps alleviate those anxieties, making it easier for �Ӱ�ֱ���� to open up and engage in the meaningful work necessary for success in school and in life.”