TAMIU’s ‘Umatter’ Recharges Student Mental Health Resources

As part of its enduring commitment to health, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) provides enrolled students a convenient way to prioritize their mental health...with “Umatter,” a free, confidential mental health care app as close as their smartphone.

The Umatter Health Student Support App provides TAMIU students with access to individual counseling, workshops, and a broad range of local and national crisis resources. It’s part of a commitment by The Texas A&M University System for all 12 of its campuses to affirm the importance of students’ mental health.

Rosabel Ramos, TAMIU director of Counseling and Disability Services, shared the importance of the Umatter app.

“Like all campuses, we know that mental health is student health...and we want to provide easy access to help our students. We’re proud to be part of our System’s continued commitment to campus mental health through our Umatter Student Support app, a downloadable, in-your-pocket tool that affirms our commitment to and support of our campus community. While we have extensive on-campus services available, we believe Umatter provides accessibility crucial our students’ needs...and delivers on its name...Umatter,” Ramos said.

TAMIU students join 153,000+ students across Texas A&M University System campuses who have access to the free, confidential mental health care app branded and used by each campus. The app first launched in 2024.

Dr. James Hallmark, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs for the A&M System, shared the importance of the System’s initiative.

“Studies show that about 75 percent of students who are struggling with depression or anxiety are reluctant to get help,” Dr. Hallmark said, “We hope this app makes it easier for students to take the first step.  Mental health is key to student success.”

“College can be stressful -- it’s a transformative experience, after all, but students today are more willing than ever to seek the help they need and we are very glad to be able to be offering it to them,” he added.

Ramos noted providing this individualized access is also crucial in helping reduce the stigma often associated with mental self-help resources.

“Having Umatter available helps reduce the unfortunate stigma of mental health and affirms and provides resources to encourage the importance of self-care. It also increases access to these resources for all registered students, regardless of their location or schedule. Student well-being, and that of those they go to class with, and live with, is first and foremos

t in how we approach the shared well-being of our University community,” Ramos explained.

Umatter is powered by TELUS and augments TAMIU’s student counseling services with 24/7 access to immediate support or to schedule professional short-term counseling in the modality of their choice such as phone or chat.  Service is available in multiple languages, including English, Cantonese, French, Spanish, and Mandarin, among others. 

“For students who are more comfortable in conversing in a language other than English, this can help to provide an additional measure of accessibility and engagement,” said Ramos.

She noted the Umatter App includes dedicated hubs providing information on anxiety, depression, and more.  It also provides access to articles, podcasts, infographics, and videos on a wide number of well-being topics.  Feedback and chat options are available throughout the App, as are unlimited A.I.-powered virtual fitness journeys, and ways to connect with a student support community of thousands of other students with shared experiences.

“It’s a fantastic tool, available in Android or iOS, that can help... right from students’ smartphones.  We think our students will find it a real asset for their health and well-being here and beyond,” Ramos explained.

She encourages coming Fall semester students to download the Umatter Health Student Support App to their preferred smartphone, tablet, or desktop to begin or continue their health journey.  

For additional information on Umatter at TAMIU, visit the dedicated website at go.tamiu.edu/umatter, email counseling @tamiu.edu, call 956.326.2230 or visit TAMIU’s Counseling and Disability Services offices located in the Student Center, room 128.

Registration for the Fall Semester 2025 at TAMIU is underway now.  Visit the Registration Hub for details.  Fall classes begin Monday, Aug/ 25, 2025.

For more on University’s story, got to tamiu.edu or follow TAMIU’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and X.