Contact:  Diego Abeloos   
805-756-5232; [email protected]   

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has received an award for the creation of a series of mental health webinars covering a wide range of topics designed to support college students’ needs.

Andrea Lawson, director of CAPS and a licensed clinical social worker, and Dr. Sarah Colwell, a licensed psychologist and outreach coordinator, will be recognized by the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) at its 75th Annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Oct.15.

Lawson and Colwell will receive the AUCCCD Media Award on behalf of CAPS for its development of the Mental Health Fridays webinar series. The Mental Health Fridays series covers topics like intuitive eating, body image and mourning loss, among others.

“Our team has a value of creating accessible, high-quality programs and services that meet the unique needs of Cal Poly students,” Lawson said. “Dr. Colwell has taken this goal and made it a reality through this webinar series that is interesting and available anytime for Mustangs.”

“Campus Health and Wellbeing is grateful to our CAPS team’s leadership, creativity and collaboration,” said Tina Hadaway-Mellis, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, Health and Wellbeing. “Ms. Lawson and Dr. Colwell have ensured that mental health resources are accessible and relevant in the digital space. I applaud their efforts in creating preventative, educational support that meets students where they are.”

The 50-minute webinars are offered live throughout the month of October via Cal Poly Now and are also accessible year-round via CAPS’ Made for Mustangs resource page.

"The purpose of Mental Health Fridays and the Made for Mustangs resource page is to provide an accessible, digital service that removes barriers created by stigma and time constraints,” Colwell added. "This anonymous webinar series was created to fill a growing need for preventative, supportive psychoeducation specifically tailored to college students' concerns."

In announcing the award, AUCCCD noted that it serves as national recognition of Lawson’s leadership and contributions to the field of campus mental health. Lawson has served as the director of CAPS, a program within Cal Poly’s Campus Health and Wellbeing department, since 2020.