Mental Health Resources

Mental health is critically important for the success of USU students.  Knowing how to address mental health concerns and what resources are available to you make prioritizing mental health care possible. Contact your Graduate Program Coordinator if you have questions about your options.

You can maintain your mental and emotional health whether you have a pressing concern or not. Be pro-active about your health and seek opportunities to be social or to talk to a professional anytime. You can access supportive campus resources including:

• Sexual assault resources that assist with reporting, medical care and counseling.
• The Access and Diversity Center, which organizes LGBTQA, multi-cultural and non-traditional student resources, events and clubs.
• International student groups that help students away from home meet others in similar circumstances.
• The Disability Resource Center, which assists students at all campuses with academic accommodations.

If you believe someone needs help:

1. Express concern. Empathetically point out the behaviors that are causing you concern. It’s important to address a person’s need to seek help. However, it is equally important to reassure them that everyone goes through hard times and you understand and care.
2. Destigmatize. Discuss mental health professional support in a friendly, welcoming way. Point out that you have confidence in the office or in its therapists, or that you’ve known others who have had positive interactions with that resource.
3. Talk about options. There are many resources available. Talk about options that may best serve the person you’re talking to and the particular difficulties they are experiencing.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, it’s important to recognize the limits of your ability to personally assist and to know when other resources can be more helpful. Seek help if you or the person you’re talking to:

• Is no longer able to function in their normal capacity within class or experiences a significant drop in grades or academic performance.
• Appears unable to cope with their day-to-day activities and responsibilities.
• Expresses depressive symptoms such as sleep disturbance, sudden weight loss or gain, crying spells, fatigue, loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, or inability to concentrate or complete tasks.
• Expresses severe anxiety symptoms such as feelings of panic, shortness of breath, headaches, sweaty palms, dry mouth, or racing thoughts.
• Has suicidal thoughts or feelings.
• Has few friends or family they can talk to about pressing concerns. They may benefit from a support group more than counseling.

USU students, faculty, staff and others can report students who are struggling with academic, personal or emotional difficulties, or who may be exhibiting threatening, worrisome or other concerning behavior using the Student of Concern form.

Utah State University has several on-campus mental health services for students and is increasing access and reducing wait times for those services. USU is also hiring two new counselors for Counseling and Psychological Services and continuing funding for mental health consultations at the Health and Wellness Center. There are two main mental health care providers available to students in Cache Valley as well.

Students with health insurance can access other medical resources for mental health. Any student working for the university, including assistantships, can opt-in and receive United Healthcare insurance, which covers mental health services. This healthcare plan requires a $250 deductible per person.

The Office of Research and Graduate Studies hosts the Training for Research Faculty workshop series. Each year, one workshop in the series addresses graduate student mental health. In addition, CAPS regularly hosts seminars on managing stress levels, maintaining work-life balance and developing healthy relationships.