Counseling & Psychological Services Opening Office at USU Blanding

BLANDING, Utah — Utah State University is pleased to announce the opening of a Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office at the USU Blanding campus. The office was made possible through several grants.

“The mental health of our students is at the top of our priority list,” said Kristian Olsen, senior associate vice president for USU Blanding. “We are pleased to now be able to offer in-person CAPS services for our students.”

In addition to establishing the CAPS office on campus, the grants will fund the hiring of a full-time therapist. USU Blanding has hired Irene Jones to join the campus as its first-ever full-time therapist. The campus has also hired Jami Harvey to support the region as their mental health coordinator. These hires were made possible by several grants, including a grant from the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, as well as a federal grant from the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI).

“As we witness the arrival of a new wave of freshmen who began their high school years during the pandemic, we recognize the challenges they faced — learning loss, isolation, and the absence of a typical high school experience,” said Priscilla Arungwa, director of students at USU Blanding. “The introduction of a full-time therapist position is aimed at providing essential support to students dealing with any issues that may have arisen due to these circumstances."

Arungwa was instrumental in the grant writing process, as well as Joao Bueno, grant director for the NASNTI program, which supported the hiring of a therapist and the establishment of a CAPS office. Peer mental health students, who previously have been relied on to assist with CAPS efforts at USU Blanding, will continue to aid in the mental health services on the campus. Arungwa coordinated the grant efforts with Olsen, as well as Justin Barker, CAPS Statewide Campuses director.

Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Utah and her master of social work from Utah State University. She grew up in the Navajo Nation near Blanding. Some of her therapeutic approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, person-centered therapy, and using the creative arts in session.

CAPS’s mission is to embrace a holistic approach to student development by removing psychological, emotional, and behavioral barriers to learning and success. USU students are eligible for CAPS mental health services either on-campus or virtually. Most services are free to qualified students and are confidential. For more information, visit usu.edu/aggiewellness/mental-health.