Body · Mental health basics

Using campus counseling

Most colleges have a counseling center for students, and at many schools it's free or already covered by your fees. What you say is confidential, with a few safety exceptions. You usually start with a short first appointment to sort out what kind of help fits, and many centers also offer quick drop-in chats, groups and same-day crisis help. You don't need a crisis to go.

Easy15 min to bookOften free for enrolled studentsChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

Your student ID or login
Your school's counseling center website or phone number
A rough idea of what's been going on (a few notes is plenty)

What to know

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: NIMH¹
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: U of Washington³
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: U of Maryland² At UMass Amherst it's a 45-minute consultation, and most students get one within one to two weeks. Source: UMass Amherst⁴
Expect paperwork first: consent forms, an intake form and short questionnaires about symptoms. Source: U of Washington U of Maryland³²
At the end, the counselor recommends next steps: individual sessions, a group, a referral, or psychiatric care for medication questions. Source: U of Maryland UMass Amherst²⁴
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 Amherst⁴ UW offers drop-in Let's Talk sessions too. Source: U of Washington³
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: U of Maryland² For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Source: U of Maryland²

Watch out Confidential doesn't mean no exceptions. At UMD, records stay separate from your educational records and can't be seen by parents or professors without your written permission or a court order. But state law requires disclosure if you're at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, or in cases of child, elder or disability abuse. Source: U of Maryland² Ask your center to explain its rules at the first visit.

See it done

Video by UCI Counseling Center University

What to Expect from Counseling

Watch on YouTube: What to Expect from Counseling - UC Irvine

Full title on YouTube: “What to Expect from Counseling - UC Irvine”2015 · Checked October 3, 2026

A student's story from UC Irvine. Every school runs things a little differently, so check yours.

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

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 Amherst⁴ 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 Amherst⁴
Worried about cost? At UMD, services are free to registered students. Source: U of Maryland² At UW, what insurance doesn't cover is billed to the student activity fee, so students owe $0. Source: U of Washington³ 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: U of Maryland²
Thinking about suicide or in distress after hours? Call or text 988 any time. Source: NIMH¹

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

What to say when you call

"Hi, I'm a student and I'd like to set up a first appointment. I've been having a hard time with sleep and stress for a few weeks." That's enough. You don't have to explain everything on the phone.

If it doesn't click

Treatment works best when the relationship works. Talk with your counselor about it or ask for someone else. Source: NIMH¹

On medication?

Don't stop it without talking to your provider. Source: NIMH¹

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

National Institute of Mental Health Help for mental illnesses
University of Maryland Counseling Center Get started
University of Washington Counseling Center What to expect
UMass Amherst Center for Counseling and Psychological Health Getting started

Lesson B8.3 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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