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Deciding What You Need

At some point during your studies, whether you have just begun or are near completion of your degree, you may want assistance with the academic challenges, with personal issues, with health concerns…with any number of things that add stress to your day-to-day life.

There are many different people at the University of Michigan who are ready to listen to your concerns and help you determine what sort of additional support you may need when there are problems that relate to your mental health.

When problems are urgent and you need help immediately, emergency consultation and crisis counseling are available to students in person or by telephone.

If you are dealing with an urgent situation or crisis during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., you can walk into the offices of Counseling and Psychological Services and ask to be seen by a counselor. Tell the receptionist that your situation is urgent and that you want to be seen as soon as possible by the Counselor on Duty.

There are a number of crisis phone lines available. You can call, explain your situation and get advice about what to do.

When you need advice you can arrange to speak with someone, in person or by phone, who has experience with the challenges faced by graduate and professional school students. Depending on the nature of your situation, there are a number of different places you might go here on campus to share your concerns and get some suggestions about how you might get help.

  • Academic and career advising are available at The Career Center. Staff there are trained to advise on a wide range of related issues. Your school or college may have an academic advising office.
  • Dispute resolution services might be useful If your problems are related to faculty or other students. Rackham’s Graduate Student Affairs offers formal and informal dispute resolution services, provides resources and referrals, and can offer alternative resolutions in consultation. The Office of Student Conflict Resolution offers similar services for student-to-student conflict.
  • Community Aides and other staff at the Community Center for Northwood Community Housing, like staff in all divisions of UM Housing, are especially trained to assist with problems of college life. They help residents resolve problems and minor disputes. As fellow residents, they understand the challenges of balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, and they work to provide ongoing support for these challenges.
  • Support for members of diverse student populations can be found at the University offices whose staff are trained to work with particular groups; for example, they are ready to answer questions and provide guidance with particular problems faced by international students, LGBT students and students of color.
  • If your concerns are related to physical problems, consult the professional staff at the University Health Service or North Campus Family Health Services. They will help you determine what sort of treatment or support you need.
  • Spiritual guidance and support are available from representatives of the many local religious communities who serve the University students, faculty and staff. They are available to listen to your concerns, provide assistance and refer you to other resources, if needed.

You can find the detailed descriptions at of all these resources and more on the Resources section of this website.

If you are uncertain whether to seek counseling there are online screening programs that can provide some guidance and suggestions about whether you should seek counseling or other assistance. One is available through the Counseling and Psychological Services website: Screening for Mental Health.

This free screening is available to everyone at U-M with a Kerberos password. Any information you provide online at this site is anonymous and remains confidential.

If you are concerned particularly about depression, free screening can be arranged through the Depression Center by calling Trish Meyer at 763-7495.

When you want counseling there are a number of resources at the University. Although counseling is not a common practice in many countries and cultures, in the United States it often is used as a process that is helpful for dealing with personal stress and difficulties. Meeting with a professional counselor allows you the opportunity to discuss your concerns with a person who has special training and who will provide support in a confidential, friendly environment.

Remember that counseling is not just for an emergency or crisis situation. Counseling can help you resolve personal difficulties and acquire the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that will enable you to take full advantage of your graduate experience at the University of Michigan.

The University provides counseling and/or referrals through a number of offices: Counseling and Psychological Services; the Psychological Clinic; the University Center for the Child and the Family; the Depression Center; Adult Outpatient Services in the Department of Psychiatry. You can find the detailed descriptions at of all these resources and more on the Resources section of this website.

Finally, for a very extensive list of local, state and national resources for mental health, go to this listing maintained by the Depression Center.