Who We Help

About Our Students

The Arise Society provides support for young adults, most commonly between the ages of 18-26. These individuals desire to work through emotional setbacks to achieve independence and (college or vocational school) academic success. Our focus is helping our students grow from their problems and empower them with the confidence and skills to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.

The most common problems we address at Arise are:

•     Anxiety
•     Depression
•     Screen and gaming issues
•     Trauma
•     Gender dysphoria
•     ADHD, ADD, NVLD
  
•     Mild to moderate social deficits
  
•     Personality disorder issues
  
•     High functioning autism

We are not a suitable place for students struggling with substance abuse.

While most of our young adults have been through wilderness therapy or another therapeutic program before coming to us, we also admit students with no previous residential treatment. Before Arise, many of our students’ problems emerged from academic struggles.

Our mission is to help young adults work toward independence through college success. We do this by modeling our daily schedule around a typical college student. Students work with our mentors to make sure each day is a step toward improvement. Aside from the typical activities that come with college life, such as homework and studying, we create unique adventures and experiences for our students to make this period fun and exciting.

The Arise Roommate Experience

With 87% of all first-year college students having one or more roommates, finding the right one can prove to be quite a challenge. For many college students, having “bad roommates” cause emotional distress, while “good roommates” can play a significant role in academic and social success, and can be a critical factor in making the transition to college a positive experience. Students with a positive roommate experience:

• Have a higher first-term GPA than those who live alone
• Have better peer connections and social integration on campus
• Build a stronger social network that can be used as a support system
• Are less likely to be homesick and more likely to return to school the following year

While having a great roommate can help with students success, a negative roommate experience can lower student grades, and in extreme cases, can exacerbate mental health issues.

At The Arise Society, we help ensure you will have a positive roommate experience. You will live like an average university student – as opposed to living in a bubble and being identified as a “program person.” We are dedicated to providing you with a highly personalized experience so you can live independently, have privacy, and have on-call 24/7 mentor support. You will be in an apartment with only one other roommate who has been selected after compatibility is taken into consideration. We cater to your unique needs to ensure an excellent and positive college roommate experience.

“In the Student’s Space”

Our term, “being in the student’s space,” allows us real-time assessment and understanding of where our students’ life skills, strengths, and weaknesses are. Students often only see what is relevant to them when it is an issue “in the moment.” The integrated living aspect of our program gives us the opportunity to be in those moments with students and help them to cope and manage when problems arise.

Providing daily support to our students requires our program professionals to be physically close to where the students live. We recognize that a cohesive society should provide day-to-day resources that are easily accessible, whether it is the college itself, a grocery store, transportation, or our support. Students feel as though it is easy to get help and are completely comfortable with our mentors.

A Day in the Life at The Arise Society

Our students begin their day by waking up and getting ready as they prepare for classes. Because our offices are located within the same apartment buildings where students live, they usually stop by the office and check in with the mentors before heading to school. Being at the office gives our students a chance to connect as well as organize and review their day. Mentors track assignments and other academic obligations as they support each of our students’ individual schoolwork and goals. Students then head to campus, located within 500 feet of their residence.

Students typically attend Utah Valley University, which boasts a smaller and more intimate classroom setting than many normal introductory college courses at other major state universities. Our students can hang out at the UVU wellness center, engage in club activities, get a bite to eat between subjects, or study at several locations on campus. UVU offers several services to students including use of fitness facilities, tutoring, academic accommodations, and opportunities for student involvement in a variety of programs.

Initially, mentors will attend classes with students for academic support and added accountability. Upon return from campus, students usually come to study in the offices or hang out with other Arise students, while others may return to their apartments. We find that our young adults enjoy and appreciate being treated like regular college students, having the freedom to choose when and where they connect with our community.

In the evenings, our students participate in community activities, group therapy, or individual mentor time. Their schedule is flexible like that of a regular college student, with support and connection available (but not always required).

The fact that our program is based out of the same apartment complex where students live allows them to transition in and out of support in an easy and natural way. Students may end their day by relaxing with roommates or spending time in their own rooms, as our students do not share rooms. Our two-bedroom apartments house one to two students, depending on availability and preference.