A Culture of Care

When Grady Taylor talks with fellow students about well-being resources at the University of Georgia, he doesn’t just share what’s available. He shares his story.

As a freshman, he was struggling with a course and reached out to Student Care and Outreach staff member Alicia Talbird MSW ’12. She told him about peer tutoring resources and how to take advantage of office hours. He walked away from that experience eager to learn more about the well-being resources available to students. 

Now a fourth-year economics major, Taylor tells his story to peers and has found that his openness encourages them to seek support when they need it. “Resources are abundant at UGA, and someone’s door is always open if you’re willing to reach out,” he says.  

Taylor is one of many UGA students, faculty, and staff who have completed the Support Dawgs certification, a three-part training program that’s transforming how the UGA community approaches mental health and well-being—not just in crises but in everyday conversations across campus. 

Offered by Student Care and Outreach, part of UGA’s Well-being Resources within the Division of Student Affairs, the program trains the UGA community to identify, understand, and respond to mental health problems and crises, including anxiety disorders, trauma, and depression. It also focuses on sexual assault awareness and prevention, and in-depth coverage of the well-being resources and support offered at UGA. More than 1,230 students representing over 58 student organizations have begun the training along with nearly 500 faculty and staff.