What services do you offer to students? CMHC helps students with their personal concerns so that they can meet the daily challenges of student life. Staffed by counselors, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals, CMHCıs services are offered free of charge to registered UT students.
When might counseling services be needed? CMHC offers a variety of services for a wide range of student concerns. We especially recommend that you encourage your daughter/son to seek our services if you notice any of the following symptoms, particularly if they occur on a repeated basis within a short period of time (2-3 weeks):
A sudden drop in academic performance, especially for students who generally Pperform well
Difficulty sleeping or getting out of bed nearly every day
Feeling sad or appearing tearful nearly every day
Social isolation or increased lethargy
Expressions of hopelessness, e.g., "Whatıs the point of trying?"
Direct or indirect statements about death or suicide, e.g., "Whatıs the point of living?" or "I wish I were dead"
Avoidance of certain places or situations, or fear of being alone
Increased irritability or restlessness
Paranoid thinking or incoherent speech
How do I refer my daughter/son to your services? Encourage your daughter/son to call us between 8 am and 4 pm to schedule an appointment.
Students who indicate they are in crisis will be seen by a counselor that day. Students may also call our 24-hour telephone counseling service at 512-471-CALL (2255) (UT Students Only) if they are more comfortable talking to a counselor on the phone.
What should I do if my daughter/son is reluctant to seek counseling? While counseling is a personal decision, sometimes it can be helpful to encourage a student to talk to a counselor about his or her concerns. It is important to remember that itıs ultimately the studentıs decision to seek help, but the following strategies might help persuade an ambivalent student to consider counseling:
Inform your daughter/son that information shared during counseling is confidential to the extent permitted by state law and will not be disclosed without written permission.
Remind your daughter/son that she or he can meet with a counselor for one session without committing to ongoing counseling.
Reduce the stigma associated with counseling. Tell your daughter/son that our counseling services are regularly used by many students for a variety of concerns and that utilizing counseling services reflects good use of one's resources. Just as it is common to visit a doctor when one has a medical problem, there should be no shame in meeting with a counselor to discuss a personal issue or concern.
Suggest that your daughter/son visit CMHC's website to become familiar with our services. Encourage your daughter/son to try our anonymous self-assessments. [link to online self-assessments]
Is it possible for the counselor to update me on what my daughter/son talks about in counseling?
Not without the studentıs written consent. Federal and state laws require that counseling conversations and records remain strictly confidential.
Confidentiality also creates a safe environment for students to explore their personal concerns. Hence our staff cannot provide details about the content of counseling or whether a particular student has sought our services without the studentıs written consent.
Knowing that your son/daughter is in counseling, but not knowing anything about the content of those sessions, can sometimes be challenging for concerned parents. However, it is important to understand that confidentiality is an essential element of the counseling process, as it creates a safe environment for students to discuss their personal concerns openly and honestly.
What should I do if I am very concerned about my son/daughter's physical or emotional safety?
In an emergency or life-threatening situation, call the University of Texas Police Department at 512-471-4441. UT Police officers have been specifically trained to deal with the mental health issues faced by University students. If the student is off-campus, you should instead contact the local police department (e.g., Austin Police Department, 512-974-5000 or dial 911 within city limits).
Another good resource is the Universityıs Behavior Concerns Advice Line
at 512-232-5050. One purpose of the BCAL service is to provide a resource for parents who have concerns about the well-being of a student. When you call the BCAL service, you will be able to consult with a trained University staff member who will assist you in identifying appropriate courses of action.
If you know that your son/daughter has sought counseling at CMHC and you have information of an urgent nature that you wish to communicate to his/her counselor, please call CMHC at 512-471-3515 (M-F, 8am to 5pm) and ask to speak to the Assistant Director for Clinical Services. Alternatively, you may call the UT Telephone Counseling service 24 hours a day at 512-471-CALL (2255) (UT Students Only). Please note that we may inform your son/daughter that you have contacted us.
Will counseling become part of my sonıs/daughterıs academic record? No. Our records are confidential and are entirely separate from students' academic records.
Whom should I contact if I have questions or feedback? Please contact us directly at 512-471-3515 if you have questions or feedback about our services.
Other resources for parents
The following websites provide additional useful information and resources for parents of college students:
Parent Survival Guide contains information on the transitions faced by both parents and their college-bound children, as well as tips for parenting a college student.
SPEAK to Your Children in College describes the stressors associated with college life and the symptoms of depression to assist parents in recognizing warning signs.
