What Mental Health Supports Are Available on Campus?
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Counseling and health services
Your college/university likely has a counseling center or student mental health services center. It may be part of the larger student health services center.
Try searching your school’s website for terms like “counseling center” or “mental health,” or simply contact the student health services center.
They may offer a variety of different services, most of which should be free!
Services may be virtual or in-person, depending on the school.
Confidentiality
Mental health professionals are legally obligated to maintain your confidentiality, with a few exceptions (child abuse, elder abuse, risk of suicide, etc.).
The bottom line is, it is illegal for a licensed therapist to disclose your private information, except when they’re legally obligated to protect you or someone else from harm.
If a therapist does break confidentiality, they can risk losing their license, and therefore their job.
Prior to your first appointment, they will give you a form to sign that explains this in more detail.
Types of services available
Each school is different, so it’s important to find out exactly what types of services are available so you can find ones that match your needs.
Individual therapy
Meeting with an individual therapist, usually 1x/week.
Group therapy
Meeting with a small number of therapists (typically 1-3) and a small number of other students (likely 3-10, thought this can vary widely, so feel free to ask).
Groups can be more “process” focused (talking about problems and supporting each other), more skills focused (learning specific techniques to manage symptoms), or a combination of both.
Group members are expected to maintain confidentiality as well, though this is harder to guarantee.
Medication management
Most centers will have a psychiatrist, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner who prescribes medication for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.
Be sure to tell your provider what other medications you take!
These appointments will likely be free, but the medication itself will not be. The school doesn’t pay for it – you do.
If you are under 25, you may still be covered under your parent or guardian’s medical insurance.
Your school may offer medical insurance as well. Search “health insurance” on your school website to learn more.
If neither your family nor your school have insurance for you, you may be able to obtain affordable health insurance through your home state. Google “<state name> health insurance marketplace” to learn more.
Insurance will make prescriptions for common psychiatric medications MUCH cheaper, sometimes as little as $5/month. You may need to reach a deductible by paying full price for a certain number of pills first, though.
Support groups
Like group therapy, but without an actual therapist present. The group members share stories, struggles, and successes, and support each other through challenges.
These generally focus on a theme that is relevant to all the members, such as grief, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, or addiction.
Academic accommodations
If your mental health challenges are impacting your ability to complete your school obligations, the accessibility/disability services office may be able to help!
Try searching your school’s website for terms like “disability,” “accessibility,” or “accommodations.” It may also help to ask your therapist or academic advisor!
Some students with ADHD, a learning disorder, other neurodevelopmental disorders, or certain anxiety and mood disorders may be eligible for accommodations, including extra testing time or other special testing circumstances.
If you are in a mental health crisis, please do not wait for an appointment. Please call 911 or 988 (the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or visit 988lifeline.org
