Welcome to the Mental Health Resources page! Below, you will find resources in and outside of UW pertaining to mental wellness.
Start with an Access Appointment to connect with UHS Mental Health Services.
Get matched with the right resources, including short-term counseling or psychiatric services.
Schedule via MyUHS or call 608-265-5600 (Option 2).
Thrive Workshops provide students with skills and tools to enhance academic performance, relationships, and well-being.
Led by UHS Mental Health Services providers, covering topics like procrastination, test anxiety, and imposter phenomenon.
Single-session format, offering practical strategies for student life.
Registration required for virtual workshops.
Sessions may be recorded, but participant identities remain hidden.
Accommodations available—contact the UHS Mental Health Services Outreach Team for requests.
You are not alone—support is available.
If you're thinking about suicide or facing an urgent mental health crisis, call the UHS crisis line (24/7): 608-265-5600 (option 9).
Trained mental health professionals provide immediate support, assess safety, and create a plan for follow-up care.
The crisis line is also open to family, friends, faculty, housing staff, and others concerned about a student’s well-being.
Connect. Support. Grow. Join hundreds of UW-Madison students in UHS group counseling each semester.
Safe, confidential, and supportive space to connect with others.
Share experiences, gain new perspectives, and explore new behaviors and interactions.
Individual counseling offers a confidential, supportive space to improve mental health.
UHS uses a brief care model and can help students find long-term or specialized care if needed.
Sessions last 50 minutes and address emotional, academic, and interpersonal concerns.
Counselor matching available based on identity, language, or expertise—students can request a different provider if needed.
Some departments have embedded UHS mental health providers—check with your department or call UHS.
Counseling Options:
Single Session: For time-limited concerns, problem-solving, or trying counseling for the first time.
Ongoing Counseling: Multiple sessions with the same provider for deeper exploration and support.
Uwill Virtual Counseling: Free, brief virtual counseling with evening and weekend availability—appointments within a week.
Outpatient psychiatric care at UHS focuses on evaluation and medication management.
Comprehensive approach includes reviewing past treatment, diagnosis, and personalized treatment plans.
Culturally competent care tailored to diverse identities and backgrounds.
Team includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and registered nurses, with specialists in substance use.
Appointments covered by student fees, but students pay for prescriptions at their chosen pharmacy.
Facilitates dialogue between students and administration on mental health needs.
Provides structured feedback to enhance Mental Health Services (MHS) resources and support.
Advocates for student mental health through peer education and outreach.
Evaluate and provide feedback on Mental Health Services resources.
Identify initiatives to promote a healthy university community.
Engage in student advocacy for mental health and wellness.
Reduce barriers for marginalized and underrepresented students.
Participate in staff interviews and selection when appropriate.
Keep MHS connected to student concerns and campus life.
Identify gaps in services and accessibility issues.
Combat mental health stigma on campus.
Assist in outreach events to support mental well-being.
10-15 members from diverse campus groups to represent the UW Madison student body.
Encourages participation from graduate students, veterans, LGBTQ+, international students, men, and communities of color.
Led by the Outreach Coordinator (Kathy Wierzchowski, Ph.D.) and the SAB Chair/Vice Chair.
Chair/Vice Chair roles are elected annually to support recruitment, new member orientation, and meeting coordination.
Open to all UW Madison students in good academic standing—if academic standing changes, the member will discuss options with the Outreach Coordinator.
Provides free, confidential support for UW–Madison student survivors of:
Sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and stalking.
Access the UW–Madison Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Guide for rights and resources.
Advocacy: Assistance with accommodations, rights information, reporting options, referrals, and consultations.
Mental Health: Trauma-informed group counseling, individual therapy, and care management.
Medical: STI testing/treatment, emergency contraception, forensic nursing, and injury care.
Confidential, no-cost, and informal consultations available on campus and virtually.
No topic is off-limits—get insight, support, and referrals to other resources.
Common concerns: stress, sadness, worry, relationships, academics, family, and finances.
20-25 minute sessions, first come, first served.
In-person: Drop in at the designated location during scheduled hours.
Virtual: Click the session link and wait in the virtual waiting room if the provider is with someone.
Not a substitute for counseling, but a chance to discuss concerns, explore solutions, and learn about UHS services.
Developed by UHS Prevention & Campus Health Initiatives to support faculty, TAs, and advisors.
Provides knowledge, skills, and resources to create academic environments where students thrive.
Offers strategies and resources to promote student health and well-being in classrooms, research labs, and advising offices.
Safe space for Badgers to connect, share experiences, and support each other.
Breaks stigma around mental health, anxiety, stress, and doubt.
Builds community through drop-in groups and craft nights.
BSN is a peer-led community where students take ownership of their mental health.
Facilitates peer-led support groups across campus for all student groups.
Promotes and destigmatizes mental health conversations on campus.
Mental well-being is essential, yet stigma and socioeconomic barriers limit access to care.
WHO estimates: Up to 50% of mental illness cases go untreated in developed countries, and 85% in developing nations.
CDC reports: Half of U.S. adults will experience a mental illness in their lifetime.
Mission
Fight stigma through education, advocacy, and support.
Promote mental health awareness at UW-Madison and beyond.
Expand efforts to local and international communities.
Talk anonymously with fellow Badgers for advice, support, or a place to vent.
Connect with trained responders who offer empathy, guidance, and helpful resources.
A safe, judgment-free space to share and seek support from peers.
Student-founded and student-run, dedicated to suicide prevention at UW–Madison.
Provides educational resources on mental health, suicide awareness, and available campus support.
Educational Workshops:
Delivered to campus groups upon request.
Based on American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) programs.
Teach students how to talk about mental health, respond in crises, and seek resources.
Community Engagement:
Monthly social events (documentaries, comedy shows, bonfires, guest speakers).
Annual Out of the Darkness Madison Campus Walk to promote suicide prevention.
Destigmatizing Mental Health:
Aims to create a safe, judgment-free campus where students feel supported.
Connects students with peer and professional resources (UHS & national AFSP services).
Tips for De-Stressing During Midterms
Brain Dump
Write down everything your brain is thinking whether it is schoo related or anxiety in general.
Make a list of the the things stressing you out most, like a checklist.
Break down the list and ask yourself "why?" each thing is stressing you out.
Create a Calendar/Schedule
Writing down dates of midterms, and times for when you are planning on studying helps organize your mind.
Meeting Basic Needs
Meeting your basic needs can help regulate your nervous system.
Utilize the acronym HALT.
H: Hunger
A: Anger
L: Loneliness
T: Tired
Small Steps
Sometimes tackling one thing at a time, no matter how small it is, can make the stress feel easier to manage.
Acknowledge Wins
It is often times good to remind yourself that you are proud of yourself.
The positive emotions of reminding yourself you are proud of yourself, can lead to an overall more positive mindset.
Resources
If the stress feels unbearable to deal with, remember that there are so many resources out there to help.
Talking out the stress, writing it down, and processing it with the help of someone else can make it much easier to get through.
Resources and Events for Finals:
Through December 1-17th, 2025, the Bakke and the Nic. are hosting many events to help destress during finals season.
Guided Meditation
Wednesday, December 3 from 12-12:30 pm (The Nic)
Thursday, December 4, from 4-4:30 pm (The Bakke)
Thursday, December 11, from 4-4:30 pm (The Bakke)
Wednesday, December 3 from noon – 12:30pm (The Nic)
Free Walk In Group Fitness Classes
Check the schedule on the website from December 11-17th.
Wellbeing Study Cafe
Tuesday, December 9 from 6 – 8pm, Serenity Studio at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center, Drop into the Rec Well wellbeing study space as your schedule allows and enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks.
Check out the Self Care Week Website for more!
RESOURCES:
UHS Mental Health Services (MHS) is partnering with Uwill to expand access to flexible, no cost, virtual counseling options for students. Licensed mental health professionals are available for video, phone, chat, and message sessions during flexible hours – including nights and weekends. Students can get in quickly to see a counselor, with appointments typically available within 24 hours.
UW Wellness Society is a program that posts a bunch of events on Instagram to help bring health and wellness to UW Madison
As always UHS is always a great tool to utilize too if you are in need of counseling care etc., (the link is found above).