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Lindsey Wilson University Receives $372,997 Federal Grant to Support Students' Mental Health

Grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will help create Blue Raider CONNECT.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (09/23/2026) — Lindsey Wilson University has received a grant of more than $370,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand mental health care services to its students.

The grant will help fund a special initiative that will allow the university to offer additional mental health care services to all of the university's students, no matter which campus they attend or in which mode they are enrolled.

"This grant will help us create more opportunities to better identify and support Lindsey Wilson students who are experiencing mental health challenges, no matter if they are students on the A.P. White Campus in Columbia, attend one of our community campuses, are enrolled in online classes or are part of our hybrid program," said Assistant Dean of Students Abe Cross. "Wherever our students are located, we want to be equipped to help meet their mental health needs so that they can remain focused on earning their Lindsey Wilson degree."

The federal grant -- which is for $372,997 -- will help fund and support the Blue Raider CONNECT initiative. Blue Raider CONNECT is an acronym for Coordinated Outreach, Navigation, Network, Early identification, Crisis response and Treatment.

"Blue Raider CONNECT will give us a more solid framework to help students matriculate through the university's mental health network and support system," said Cross. "Blue Raider CONNECT will provide every Lindsey Wilson student access to a comprehensive mental health system."

Lindsey Wilson Director of Health Services Tamara Coots '13 said the federal grant is "exciting news for our students because it means four things to them."

"The university will be able to improve the mental health resources offered to students, we will increase access to mental health resources available to students, we will expand treatment options offered to students, and we will be able to provide our students with more education about mental health," said Coots.

Lindsey Wilson's enrollment increased this school year by nearly 8% to almost 3,300 students. And a larger student body often brings an increase in mental health care needs.

"It's exciting that as the university continues to grow and expand, Blue Raider CONNECT will help support students' mental health needs," said Cross. "All students who call themselves a Blue Raider will be able to seek and receive support from Blue Raider CONNECT."

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

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Lindsey Wilson University has received a $372,997 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand mental health care services to its students.

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