How to start with Mental Health Services

An Access Appointment is the first step to Individual counseling and many groups. This appointment is typically done over the phone and lasts about 20 minutes. During this appointment, together with the student, MHS providers collaboratively determine needs and connect students to the services they need, both on and off campus.  Students will be able to request to be referred to providers with specific identities, backgrounds, or training for their ongoing care. To schedule an Access Appointment, call 608-265-5600 (option 2) or log on to MyUHS. In-person appointments are available by request.

Resources available without appointments

Beyond the clinic walls, UHS offers many services for supporting student mental health. If a student is not ready to start counseling, is waiting for a counseling appointment, or is looking for tools to improve their mental health, UHS has services available.

• Let’s Talk is a no-cost, informal, and confidential service where students can speak to a UHS counselor about specific problems and explore solutions in a 20-minute one-on-one session. Let’s Talk is a great way to explore what going to therapy and speaking to a mental health professional is like in a one-time, directed session. Some Let’s Talk sections focus on specific identities or concerns, with sessions for BIPOC students, LGBTQ+ students, engineering students, and more. Other daily sessions are open to all students and concerns.

• UHS offers a guided relaxation playlist on Spotify. Topics include sleep, autogenic relaxation, muscle relaxation, breath awareness, and peaceful focus. Listen to the playlist on Spotify.

• Thrive Workshops help students develop skills to handle different topics like test anxiety, sleep, procrastination, and more.

• The Connecting Badgers podcast, available on Spotify, is hosted by UHS providers and offers tips for students to promote their mental health in order to strengthen student wellbeing and success.

• UHS has a 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support Line (608-265-5600, option 9). Faculty or staff who are concerned about the mental health of a student can call this number for consultation. Support is also available from the Dean of Students Office (608-263-5700). 

Stats/Utilization

• 95% of students who use MHS are satisfied with the support they received and would recommend MHS to a friend (Spring 2022 user survey)

• 95% of students said MHS providers listened carefully to their concerns and felt heard and understood (Spring 2022 user survey)

• 100% of students surveyed felt their privacy was protected (Spring 2022 user survey)

• 100% of students said that their cultural identities and backgrounds were respected (Spring 2022 user survey)

Group Counseling is available

We have groups that are still accepting members. Students can sign up online for a session or call for a pre-group orientation.

• ACT for Social Anxiety Group

• Creative Arts Process Group

• Dissertators Support Group

• Graduate Students Support Group

• Grief Support Group

• Interpersonal Process Group

• Latinx Support and Process Group

• LGBTQ+ Support and Empowerment Group

• Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Support and Empowerment Group