Sierra on Campus Expands Access to Intensive Mental Health Support

College students experiencing significant mental health concerns may need more support than what university counseling centers or traditional or traditional outpatient services can provide. Sierra on Campus Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) helps bridge that gap.  

Launched in fall 2026, Sierra on Campus provides nine hours of group therapy each week, along with individual check-ins for students experiencing mental health and substance use concerns. Students gain practical coping skills, connect with peers who understand their experiences, and receive guidance from mental health professionals while staying on campus.  It’s also designed with students in mind with sessions meeting at the end of the day and the ability to work with Sierra Tucson to develop a plan if they need to miss class or other University obligation for the IOP.   

“Connecting students with the right level of care at the right time helps meet their mental health needs before those challenges take a greater toll on their academics. IOPs can lead to significant improvements for students who need that level of support, offering a more appropriate path to care than trying to manage more complex concerns through traditional outpatient counseling alone. When students feel better and have the support they need, they're better positioned to engage with campus resources and succeed academically,” said Aaron Barnes, Director of CAPS 

By bringing intensive support directly to campus, Sierra on Campus helps remove barriers to care that can make it difficult for students to continue their education. Accessing similar services off campus may require students to take a medical leave or withdraw from classes. With Sierra on Campus, students can receive the intensive support they need while remaining enrolled, staying connected to their campus community and working toward their degrees.  

“70% of the students who completed the program last year are either enrolled in future classes or have graduated from the university. Given the kinds of concerns that those students were facing and what seeking services off campus can look like, you can really see how having these services on campus helped those students meet their educational goals,” said Rachel Abraham, Evaluation Manager at Campus Health. 

The program complements existing CAPS services by providing a higher level of support for students who need it.  Students’ needs change across their student career, and offering a range of mental health supports enables CAPS to be responsive to those needs.  

“Two of my clients have completed Sierra on Campus, and both made significant progress toward their treatment goals. They shared that the group topics were highly relatable and instrumental in improving their mental health. As their clinician, I have seen a difference in the way they approach therapy and understanding of the tools that have helped them,” said Heather Straight, a psychologist at CAPS. 

Receiving appropriate care before concerns escalate can also help students build skills, strengthen their wellbeing, and stay engaged in their education. 

“With the majority of CAPS counseling services now available at no cost, we anticipate more students will seek mental health support. Our goal is for students to access care earlier than they might have before, while also making sure they can access the level of support they need when they need it,” said Leslie Ralph, CAPS Assistant Director CAPS. “Having an on-campus option like the Sierra on Campus IOP is crucial to continuity of care.” 

Referrals to Sierra on Campus have increased eightfold compared with the same point in the previous academic year, reflecting growing trust, recognition, awareness, and need the program.  With what is known about the student stress cycle, it is anticipated that the number of referrals will continue to increase.