Sept. 10-16 is National Suicide Prevention week. With the Fall 2023 semester in full swing, it is important for students to be aware of the mental health and suicide prevention services available to them.
“My experience using their counseling services was very good. They are always very accommodating and willing to work with you,” said Bryanna Caesar, a fifth year animal science major at Fresno State.
Health and Counseling Center
The Fresno State Student Health and Counseling Center offers free individual counseling services, as well as groups and workshops, crisis intervention, case management and psychiatry services.
The Student Health and Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. with limited services from 12-1 p.m. To contact them, call (559) 278-2734.
“Our mission is to help students with their problems so they can continue to pursue their academic goals,” said Scott Ahles, a psychiatrist at the Student Health Center.
What To Expect?
Students can fill out an interest form for any kind of counseling session to determine what type of counseling they are looking for. Students will then be contacted to set up an appointment date and time.
Prior to a scheduled appointment, a mandatory assessment for information regarding a student’s current mental health status, a consent form and history will need to be filled out.
During the 50 minute counseling appointment, in-person or via Zoom, students will discuss with counselors about their symptoms and what brought them to counseling. The counselor will then provide a summary of treatment options and work with the student to come up with a plan.
Counseling can seem intimidating at first, but it is important to have an outlet when school becomes too much..
“It is nice when they let you know that so many students are going through similar stuff as well,” said a Fresno State student who chose to remain anonymous.
Counseling Groups and Workshops
Group counseling is available to have the support of others who share similar concerns and to have a community safe space while gaining effective methods for self-care.
These are 50 minute sessions that do not require any prior counseling appointment for participation. There are a variety of workshops that students can attend tailored to specific needs: Relationships, Getting Unstuck, Anxiety Toolbox, Emotional Exhausted Person and True Colors are some examples.
The Anxiety Toolbox workshop meets Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Thursday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 9 a.m. This workshop builds coping skills to manage symptoms of anxiety.
To acquire skills for coping with depression, join the Getting Unstuck workshop. This group meets Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
The True Colors group is targeted towards LGBTQ+ individuals and acts as a safe space to listen and talk with others about identity exploration. This group meets on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and is open to anyone to join.
To explore a better understanding of self-care and discover awareness of what you emotionally need, join the Emotionally Exhausted Person group. This group meets on Friday at 1 p.m. and is open to anyone.
The Relationships group works to improve your relationships with others and form deeper connections. This group meets Wednesday at 11 a.m., and Friday at 1 p.m.
“Using the counseling services has helped me remember to stay grounded, my therapist is really nice and always reminds me to think positively,” Caesar said.
To enroll in any of the group meetings and to determine meeting spots, call (559) 278-2734
Crisis Care
Students that are experiencing a mental health crisis during the Student Health and Counseling Center office hours should call their office at (559) 278-2734. If students meet the criteria of a crisis visit, they will be seen by a counselor within one hour, if not, they will be contacted to schedule a traditional counseling appointment.
Let’s Talk
Let’s Talk is a free and anonymous drop-in mental health consultative service that is available through Zoom, no appointment necessary. This service is available Monday through Friday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
“I had seen the Let’s Talk link on The Health and Counseling Center site and logged into the Zoom meeting when Covid was happening and I saw a counselor and she was really nice and scheduled a real appointment with me as a follow up,” said a Fresno State student who chose to remain anonymous.
YOU@FresnoState
You@FresnoState is an online self-care platform that is personalized to fit individual, specific needs. This platform is designed to help students learn self-care strategies while also succeeding and thriving.
The site offers self check-ins, detailed questions to better understand student needs and skills to help students start living a more mindful lifestyle. Students can log in through MyFresnoState Portal and click the YOU@FresnoState icon to set up a profile.
Greater Good in Action
GGIA is a site that collects hundreds of researched based, practical methods and exercises to boost personal well-being. This website is a free, easy to use outlet and has hundreds of different practices.
