OTC signs mental health deal with Burrell

Ozarks Technical Community College entered a memorandum of understanding with Burrell Behavioral Health to provide mental health counseling to OTC employees and students.

“These are stressful times for everyone, and this partnership with Burrell is a cost-effective method to provide enhanced mental health services to our students and employees,” said Joan Barrett, OTC vice chancellor for student services, in a news release.

OTC spokesperson Mark Miller said the college set aside $80,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds for the program. He said Burrell counseling would be available through the end of the spring semester in 2021, at which time the school would consider an extension based on usage and outcome data.

Through the partnership, Burrell is set to provide a part-time mental health counselor for students at OTC's Springfield and Republic campuses, as well as telehealth counseling at the Lebanon and Waynesville centers. The deal also allows up to five counseling sessions for part-time staff and faculty, according to the release. The services are free to employees and students.

“The ability to provide mental health access to college students and employees in the campus setting, where they are most comfortable and reachable, is vital to the long-term health of these populations," said Dustin Brown, Burrell’s vice president of integration, in the release.