UGA SGA leads OneCard update to improve awareness of mental health resources
The University of Georgia Student Government Association (SGA) led an initiative to update the UGA OneCard to increase awareness of student well-being resources. The inspiration came from SGA Senator, Shriya Garg, a Foundation Fellow and Stamps Scholar, who shared the idea at a White House roundtable event in which schools and colleges discussed how to help student well-being. This OneCard update will make mental health resources more accessible and visible to all students.
Since December 5, UGA’s Student OneCards now feature important mental health contact information printed on the back. This includes the 9-8-8 hotline and phone numbers for Student Care and Outreach, the UGA Police Department, and UGA Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS).
While UGA already offers extensive and well-promoted mental health resources, Garg recognized the need for a more consistent, visible reminder of these services.
“It is crucial to approach mental health from a comprehensive, all-hands-on-deck perspective,” Garg explained. “By embedding resource information directly onto something as ubiquitous as the OneCard, we’re providing students with a constant, low-barrier reminder to prioritize their mental health while also working to reduce the stigma around it.”
The initiative takes advantage of a tool all students are required to carry, ensuring that every new student has immediate information about important mental health and safety resources. This awareness of critical information could be a lifeline for students in times of need.
Garg is appreciative of the support she has received from the UGA administration, faculty, and student body.
“I’ve been incredibly grateful for how collaborative and open everyone has been throughout this process,” she said. “My committee peers, along with Rock and John, have been instrumental in shaping this project, offering invaluable insights, and sharing their expertise to ensure we address the real needs of our student body.”
Rock Rogers is the Student Government Association president, and John Neely is president of the SGA Senate.
Through this initiative, Shriya Garg and SGA have continued their dedication to improving student safety and mental health, providing yet another successful example of student-driven initiatives which shape a supportive campus community.
The Student Government Association is advised by the department of Engagement, Leadership, and Service. For more information, visit the UGA Engagement, Leadership, and Service’s website.
