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Mental Health and On-Campus Counseling Resources
Life at the University of Chicago can be very stressful and overwhelming-not only because of academic rigor but also because of personal and emotional concerns. It is then very crucial to seek to ensure good mental health. Developing a strong support system of friends, housing staff, and faculty can certainly help with this. Also, there are other various support services provided on campus, as detailed below. They can help you assess and address your mental health needs. And so you should feel free to take advantage of these services and contact them whenever you feel any need for emotional support. The Student Counseling and Resource Service (SCRS)
Services The Student Counseling and Resource Service (SCRS) offers many services and resources to assist with both personal and academic concerns. SCRS offers services such as diagnostic assessments, individual therapy, group therapy, crisis counseling, emergency services, academic skills counseling, and referral services. Eligibility and Costs The Student Health Fee covers short-term counseling at SCRS, so all students are eligible for SCRS services at no extra cost. Spouses and children of students who have paid the health services fee are eligible as well. Confidentiality Confidentiality is of utmost concern at SCRS. Your medical records information are accessible only to authorized SCRS staff. Your information is kept confidential unless you provide SCRS with a written release form. To view the full confidentiality policy, visit the front desk. Making an Appointment To make an appointment, call the front desk at (773) 702-9800 between 8:30 AM and 5 PM during the week. There is no need to make an appointment for emergency cases. Should you need to see someone immediately, call the front desk or walk-in during regular hours. After hours, there is also a therapist on-call available at all times at (773) 702-3625. Your first appointment at SCRS will be with an intake coordinator. At that time, you and the intake coordinator will discuss your concerns. The intake coordinator will then assess your needs and what SCRS services best address these needs. If it is decided that you will use therapy services at SCRS, the intake coordinator will also assign you a therapist and set up that appointment. Make sure to arrive a few minutes early prior to your first appointment as you will need to fill out some forms. Also, it is very important that you keep your appointments with SCRS. Should you need to cancel an appointment, give your therapist at least 24 hours' notice by phone or e-mail. Otherwise, missed appointments are subject to a $10 penalty fee. Emergency Cases If you are in an emergency situation and need to see someone immediately, during regular hours you can call the front desk at (773) 702-9800 or walk into SCRS without an appointment. During non-working hours, you can reach the SCRS therapist on-call at (773) 702-3625. The Academic Skills Assessment Program (ASAP) Part of SCRS, ASAP deals with academic concerns and helps students improve academic skills through counseling. ASAP provides services that address common academic issues such as time management, concentration and memory, and test taking. ASAP also provides counseling for ADD/ADHD and LD. For more information on the services and resources that ASAP provides, please consult their website. To schedule an appointment, call the SCRS front desk at (773) 702-9800 any weekday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Other Special Services If you are concerned for someone else, you can make an appointment at SCRS to discuss such worries. Speaking with a counselor can provide much useful advice in learning how to deal with these concerns. The SCRS website also now features an online screening program for anxiety and depression. This program is for self-assessment purposes. SCRS also provides pamphlets on various topics. These can be found in the waiting room. The SCRS website also has a collection of virtual pamphlets. Support GroupsThere are several support groups on campus. The table below is only a partial list as the support groups can vary each year based on student interest. Past groups have included academic support groups, study abroad support groups, sexual assault survivor groups, and sexual identity groups. Some groups, such as the Tunnel Lights Suicide Awareness Network, provide support through a listhost forum. Also, keep in mind that several RSOs provide support services. Refer to the Chapter 15 for more information. SCRS also manages several support groups. If interested in participating in one-or if you would like to suggest an idea for a support group-call the front desk at (773) 702-9800. If you are seeking an off-campus support group, SCRS might also be able to provide you with contact information for Chicago area support groups.
Once again, feel free to contact any of the mental health resources available on campus. Your mental and emotional health are certainly crucial to your well-being, so whether you need help in dealing with a crisis or could use someone to talk to, do not hesitate to contact any of these resources as they are here for you. |