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student counseling center

About the Center : For Students : Mental Health Screenings
For Faculty & Staff : FOR PARENTS & FAMILIES : Other Resources

College can be an exciting and fulfilling time of life but it can also present many challenges that can overwhelm a student’s current ability to cope. As a parent or family member at times it can be hard to know whether to actively intervene to help resolve issues for your student or whether to stand back and allow the student to handle things independently.

It might comfort you to know that the Counseling Center staff are mental health professionals who have experience working with college students and can help you and your student clarify whether what your student is experiencing is healthy and normal or represents a concern that could benefit from or require professional treatment.

Clearly if a student is imminently suicidal or endangering their life, immediate action is indicated (please see crisis information if this applies to you). However, there are often “gray areas” where professional services might be helpful but your student wants to handle things on their own. Because college students are considered adults, legally there are limitations to how much you or we can help if your student is unwilling to schedule an initial consultation. At those times you may want to use the leverage of your concern and your relationship to encourage your student to seek help.

• A counselor can help you figure out how to talk with your student about your concerns for them and, when indicated, encourage scheduling an appointment at the Student Counseling Center
• Students are legally considered adults. Therefore, we request that the student schedule their own appointments.
• While we can talk with you about your concern for your student, due to ethical and legal requirements for confidentiality we would only be able to share specific information about your student’s attendance at sessions, issues or treatment recommendations if they have signed a written release allowing us to do so.
• If you are concerned about a mental health emergency after the Center business hours, you or your student can contact the Safety and Security office at 401-598-1103.
• Since the Counseling Center provides short term individual services only, we often will refer students with ongoing or chronic conditions to services within the community. You can help your student by informing them of insurance coverage or helping them to access that information.

homework before college? If you have concerns about your student’s existing mental health or psychiatric issues, or if their issues are long-term and require more than short term counseling, there are many things you can do before college to ensure a successful transition to university.

• Contact the Counseling Center in advance for referrals for local psychiatry, community counselors or other treatment providers.
• Learn about the school student insurance and the limitations with regards to prescriptions, refills and benefits, and inform your student of any other insurance coverage.
• Plan ahead for medications and refills.
• The Counseling Center does not provide long term care.
• Counseling can not be mandated or required for students. For counseling to be effective it must be voluntary.
• In life-threatening situations, authorities at J&W may require a safety assessment for a student.

The Center does not provide court ordered treatment or counseling that is involved with litigation.

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