By Christine Muncy, Associate Vice President, Career Services + Student & Alumni Success, American Military University part of American Public University System
While the mental health needs of military personnel, veterans and their families have received greater attention as of late, access to timely and trusted support can still fall short. This problem highlights a critical need for more resources and reliable programs that can help those in their time of need.
At American Military University part of American Public University System (AMU), we are working to close that gap by providing students and alumni with multiple ways to seek help, build connection, and strengthen the resilience needed to navigate school, work and life.
Because our students are often balancing responsibilities far beyond the classroom, including military service, career and family commitments, support must be accessible when and where they need it. We fully recognize the significance of this – the majority of our students are working adults and several thousand are veterans*.
There are several key ways we deliver on our commitment. Our in-house University Chaplains team, led by Rev. Dr.Cynthia Lindenmeyer, a retired Army officer, serves students, alumni, faculty and staff through wellness checks, ongoing support, crisis response and connections to local resources. The chaplains partner with university teams to help employees recognize when a student may be experiencing a crisis, which can be especially challenging in an online environment.
Students also have access to two digital mental health support platforms at no additional cost (Uwill and TalkCampus). Uwill connects students with licensed counselors through teletherapy and crisis support, without the barriers of insurance requirements or lengthy wait times. Students can select counselors based on their specific needs and connect to them via video, phone, or chat. TalkCampus provides a 24/7 anonymous peer-support community available through its app and website, giving students a safe place to share, listen and connect regardless of their location.
Peer support can be especially meaningful for students who may not be ready to speak with a professional but still need someone to listen without judgement. Through the TalkCampus Peer+ program, select students receive specialized training to support others in the global community. AMU’s Active Minds student organization has played an important role in recruiting volunteers who have helped support more than 400 student peers.
Megan, an AMU student and Peer+ participant, described the value of this community simply: “Sometimes, what someone needs most is a safe place to be heard.” Her words capture why connection matters. It can reduce isolation, create a sense of purpose, and remind students that they do not have to navigate difficult moments alone.
That sense of belonging extends across the university. Student organizations give online learners opportunities to connect with each other around shared interests and professional goals. For students managing deployments, inconsistent work schedules, career transitions, or family responsibilities, they can provide a sense of consistency, encouragement, and connection with others experiencing similar things.
Supporting students also requires building a broader community of care. University staff are offered professional development opportunities to help better understand how to support online learners during stressful or difficult circumstances. Equipping staff with tools to recognize and respond to student needs has helped create a stronger support network.
Mental health support is also closely connected to how we prepare students for the future. A concept we call “Signature Skills” has been integrated into every degree program at every level to help students develop durable capabilities that support academic, personal and professional success.
Three components make up Signature Skills: Growth Mindset, with a particular focus on resilience, Critical Thinking, and AI & Digital Literacy. Growth Mindset encourages students to see challenges as opportunities to learn, adapt and continue moving forward rather than as fixed limits on what they can achieve.
However, resilience does not mean simply pushing through difficult circumstances on your own. It includes recognizing when support is needed, using available resources, and learning from experiences. When combined with Critical Thinking, collaboration and solution focused thinking, this concept can help students respond more effectively to change and uncertainty.
Together, counseling, chaplain support, peer communities, student engagement opportunities, and Signature Skills create a holistic culture of care in our community. Our goal is not only to respond when a student is in crisis; we want to create an environment where seeking help is normalized, connection is accessible, and resilience is intentionally developed.
By supporting the whole student, we help military-affiliated learners and working adults succeed professionally, educationally, and personally.
We recognize that students’ well-being and success often go hand-in-hand. We aim to make a difference not only while they are students, but throughout their whole life.
*As of June 30, 2026, 89% of students at American Military University and American Public University are working adults, and 15% are veterans. AMU and APU are both part of American Public University System.
Read more articles for the Veteran Community here.
