Using campus counseling

What to know

1. Find it. Search your school's site for "counseling center" or ask your RA or student health. A school health or counseling center is one of NIMH's suggested places to look for help. Source: NIMH
2. Know you don't need a crisis. Common reasons students go include stress, low motivation, breakups, roommate or family problems, homesickness, sleep trouble, substance use, grief, loneliness and sexual assault or harassment. Source: University of Washington
3. Book the first appointment online, by phone or in person. At the University of Maryland, for example, it's a roughly 30-minute brief assessment to talk about your needs and options. Source: University of Maryland At UMass Amherst it's a 45-minute consultation, and most students get one within one to two weeks. Source: UMass Amherst
4. Expect paperwork first: consent forms, an intake form and short questionnaires about symptoms. Source: University of WashingtonUniversity of Maryland
5. At the end, the counselor recommends next steps: individual sessions, a group, a referral, or psychiatric care for medication questions. Source: University of MarylandUMass Amherst
6. Need to talk sooner? Many schools have quick options. UMass's Let's Talk is a free 15-minute Zoom check-in, same day or next day. Source: UMass Amherst UW offers drop-in Let's Talk sessions too. Source: University of Washington
7. In a crisis, tell the front desk you need to be seen today. UMD, for example, offers same-day urgent visits and phone crisis help after hours. Source: University of Maryland For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Source: University of Maryland

If it doesn't work

• Need longer-term or weekly therapy? Many centers use a short-term model and will help you find a community provider for ongoing care. Source: UMass Amherst See Finding a therapist you can afford.
• No openings showing online? Call anyway. At UMass, about half of first appointments open the same morning. Source: UMass Amherst
• Worried about cost? At UMD, services are free to registered students. Source: University of Maryland At UW, what insurance doesn't cover is billed to the student activity fee, so students owe $0. Source: University of Washington Ask your center what you'd pay.
• Want a counselor who shares your background? Some centers have options. UMD runs weekday drop-in hours for international students, students of color, LGBTQ+ students and military-connected students. Source: University of Maryland
• Thinking about suicide or in distress after hours? Call or text 988 any time. Source: NIMH

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