Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It impacts how we think and feel, our relationships and how we relate to others, our abilities to adapt and cope with stress, and our sense of purpose and quality of life. There are many factors that affect our mental health, and they range from biological to psychological to environmental (including social, economic, and physical environments/systems).

Poor mental health and/or mental health disorders are often due to a complex interaction of these factors. It is not a person’s fault or a sign of weakness; nearly one in five U.S. adults will experience mental illness in a given year. With help and support in their recovery, people can lead meaningful and satisfying lives.

It can be tough to know when you should seek help. Here is a list of signs you can watch out for:

Feelings:

• Extreme highs and lows
• Prolonged sadness, irritability, anger
• Excessive fears, worries, and anxieties
• Tired and low energy

Thoughts:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Strange thoughts (delusions)
• Fixation on one thing
• Confused thinking
• Things not feeling real

Body changes:

• Unexplained physical ailments
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Sleep patterns

Behavior changes:

• Consequences due to substance use
• Not caring for yourself
• Disordered eating
• Inability to manage substance use
• Hearing or seeing things that aren't there
• Self-harm

Connections:

• Trouble connecting or relating to people
• Social withdrawal
• Skipping classes and/or work

Prior to your first appointment, you will be asked to fill out some forms providing information about yourself and your concerns. During your appointment, the therapist will speak with you for about 50 minutes to learn more about your concerns, relevant history, and goals. Then you will have a collaborative discussion about what would be helpful next.

Students have the choice to be seen in the office or by telehealth via Zoom. You will be asked your preference when you schedule your appointment,  

During the time that tele-mental health services are provided you will be asked where you are currently located as part of the scheduling conversation. Each state has specific limitations set by that state about who can provide services to its residents.

As a mental healthcare provider, the embedded therapist is legally and ethically required to uphold standards of confidentiality. This means the therapist cannot release any protected/privileged information to professors, advisors, parents, or concerned friends without the student’s prior written informed consent. It also prohibits the embedded therapist and UCS staff from confirming or disconfirming that a student has made an appointment or attended sessions without the student’s prior written permission.

UCS records are kept separately from medical records and academic records. There are narrow exceptions when confidentiality must be broken, and these are:

1. When the student is in imminent danger of harm to self or others
2. In order to protect minors and dependent adults from current potential abuse
3. If court-ordered by a judge in a current legal proceeding. The UCS website provides further information about confidentiality.

To protect your confidentiality. the therapist will work with you to determine the best way for you to enter the therapeutic office with the least visibility.

Yes, we honor each student’s choice to have a therapist that is right fit for them. A student may prefer to see a therapist at a main campus location or with Housing and Dining (must meet eligibility) due to identity, location, availability, or other preferences.

The embedded therapist is available for consultation with faculty and staff seeking guidance on how to support a student. If you have information you feel is important to share with the embedded therapist, you are encouraged to consult with the understanding that what you share can be shared with the student as well. Examples of when consultation can be helpful include:

• You are alarmed by a student’s behavior or words (or example, if a student is feeling very sad or anxious or threatens to hurt themself or someone else)
• When a student has not been attending class due to low mood or personal problems
• When a student seems to be having a difficult time in their personal life
• When a student demonstrates a drastic change in behavior
• When you have read something in an assignment or observed something in class that raises your concern about a student’s wellbeing.

Depending on your needs, consultation can help you gain clarity on the situation and how you can personally respond or intervene, provide on- and off-campus resources, learn how to make a referral if appropriate, or clarify your own feelings about the student/situation and consider the ways you can be most effective. Remember the embedded therapist cannot reveal whether a student has attended or is currently attending counseling. You can access further information on helping students in emotional distress. See also the Quick Guide for Helping Students.

Staff and faculty can make referrals directly to the therapist if they have received verbal consent from a student to do so. Please note that the therapist does not make cold calls to students regarding services. Students are encouraged to contact the therapist directly if they would like to schedule an appointment or inquire about services. However, that is not always the best fit for students; if you have a student who has provided their consent, you can complete the referral form and e-mail it to kati-schneider@uiowa.edu.