Supporting the Whole Online Learner: Innovative Approaches to Student Behavioral Health and Well-Being

By Karly Dickinson, Psy.D.

When we talk about supporting online learners, we’re quick to focus on course design, technology, and academic support services—and rightfully so! Those are all critical aspects of a successful digital learning experience. But those students are more than just learners logging into an LMS. They are employees, caregivers, military service members, rural residents, and more—all navigating the stressors of everyday life.

Those competing demands can take a toll on mental health and well-being, making behavioral health support an increasingly important part of efforts to help students stay engaged, persist, and succeed. As institutions expand digital learning opportunities, many are rethinking how they support the whole student, wherever learning takes place.

At WICHE, the organization’s Behavioral Health Program contributes to this broader system of support by strengthening the behavioral health workforce and expanding access to behavioral health education, training, and services across the West. Through workforce planning, technical assistance, behavioral health workforce needs assessment, and support for psychology internship consortia and other training initiatives, WICHE BHP works collaboratively with states, institutions of higher education, and community partners to strengthen the behavioral health workforce. These efforts help build the systems and workforce capacity needed to improve access to behavioral health services for all students, including those learning in virtual and distance education environments.

Expanding Access Through Virtual Mental Health Services

One significant development in recent years has been the growth of telehealth services and their adoption by educational institutions. Many colleges and universities now offer virtual counseling appointments, which helps address common barriers to access to care, such as transportation, scheduling conflicts, and geographic distance from campus.

In addition to traditional counseling services, some institutions have implemented partnerships with third-party platforms that provide 24/7 access to counseling, crisis support, wellness resources, and self-guided mental health tools.  For example, WCET member institutions, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Virginia, have contracted with TimelyCare, where students can access 24/7 mental health services year-round, regardless of location, at no cost. Another WCET member, City College of San Francisco, has partnered with Uwill to offer immediate counseling appointments based on student needs and preferences.

Proactive Outreach and Early Intervention

Institutions are also moving beyond reactive models of care by focusing on early identification and intervention. Data-informed student support systems can help identify learners who may be experiencing challenges before they reach a crisis point. At Western Governors University, program mentors receive notifications when LMS activity (or lack thereof) indicates a student may need extra support. By connecting with students early, institutions can provide support before academic performance and well-being are significantly impacted.

Building Community and Reducing Isolation

Online learners frequently report feelings of isolation and disconnection from their institution. Trellis Strategies’ 2024 Student Financial Wellness Survey of nearly 44,000 college students found that 57% felt lonely (45% sometimes, 12% always), leaving just 15% who never feel lonely. To address this challenge, many colleges and universities are creating intentional opportunities for connection and belonging. Strategies include:

• Virtual peer mentoring programs.
• Online student organizations and affinity groups.
• Wellness-focused webinars and workshops.
• Virtual social events and networking opportunities.
• Cohort-based learning experiences.

These initiatives help students develop meaningful relationships with peers, faculty, and staff while fostering a stronger sense of community.

Looking Ahead and Taking Action

As online education continues to evolve, institutions have an opportunity to reimagine how behavioral health support is delivered. Successful approaches will likely combine accessible mental health services, proactive outreach, community-building efforts, and wellness-centered educational practices (LaMonica et al., 2025).

 Supporting behavioral health is a student success strategy. The question isn’t whether institutions should offer these student support services; they should be considering how quickly they can onboard an effective, affordable resource for students. Institutions that do this well will deliver the kind of digital learning environments where students thrive.

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About WICHE Behavioral Health

The WICHE Behavioral Health Program contracts with states and other stakeholders to optimize the delivery of behavioral health care. This work includes needs assessment and strategic planning; policy analysis and development; quality improvement and accreditation initiatives for hospitals and programs; systemic process reviews; and operational plans for program facilities. Learn more at wiche.edu/behavioral-health.

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References

LaMonica, H. M., Hickie, I. B., Capon, W., Ahia, M., Ewing, L., Lee, W., Iorfino, F., Song, Y. J. C., McKenna, S., & Cleverley, K. (2025). Digital tools to support post-secondary student mental health and wellbeing. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 19(10), e70094. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.70094

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