The UW Counseling Center is a mental health resource where currently enrolled students can receive assistance with adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, and a variety of other challenges.
At the Counseling Center, every single member of our team dedicates their working hours (and often our waking hours!) to seek ways to enhance the UW Student Community’s access to wellness resources within and beyond UW. We strive to create a safe environment for students to explore and overcome challenges connected to life and learning. Through innovative programs and partnerships, we aim to deliver on our commitment to support our student community so UW feels less overwhelming and more inspiring!
Our multidisciplinary mental health team is dedicated to practicing through an inclusive and anti-oppressive lens that affirms the needs of those frequently marginalized by mainstream mental health practices.
Because UW should be challenging, not overwhelming!
Who is eligible for services?
For students physically in the state of Washington:
Students currently enrolled in degree-seeking programs at the UW Seattle campus are generally eligible for services at the Counseling Center. Because the Counseling Center is funded through tuition and the Services and Activities Fee (SAF), students outside this central funding structure are not eligible for counseling services. These students are still welcome to call us to request assistance with referrals to resources in the local community.
For students who are physically out of state and/or for any student who is in crisis:
UW has partnered with Telusto give students access to real-time, confidential mental health and crisis intervention support, 24/7 and in multiple languages. There are several ways to connect:
We highly recommend that you download the My SSP app (Apple App Store | Google Play) to have the full range of services at your fingertips any time.
Scheduling an Appointment
Log into the Student Portal to schedule a first-time visit, see your upcoming appointments, check-in and fill out forms, sign up for text reminders, and update your personal information like your name and pronouns! If you are unable to schedule an appointment online, please call us at 206.543.1240
We provide both virtual and limited in-person sessions as counselors share offices due to space limitations at the center.
To request disability accommodations for your appointment, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 (voice), 206.543.6452 (TTY), 206.685.7264 (fax), or dso@uw.edu, preferably at least 10 days in advance.
Make a gift to the UW Counseling Center to support our work!
FAQs
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. 1. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
What are the four types of mental health? ›
mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder) anxiety disorders. personality disorders. psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
What are 5 ways to improve mental health? ›
Tips for improving your mental wellbeing
- Try to relax and reduce stress.
- Find ways to learn and be creative.
- Spend time in nature.
- Connect with others.
- Look after your physical health.
- Try to improve your sleep.
Good mental health in challenging times
- you are confident when you come across new situations or stresses.
- you feel optimistic.
- you do not always blame yourself.
- you can set and achieve your goals.
- you can stick to routines that are good for you, such as eating and sleeping well.
Examples include good professional relationships, clear feedback and instructions, positive feedback, and work–life balance. In contrast, factors such as poor or unclear communication, unrealistic deadlines, poor relationships and workplace conflict, and a lack of support can cause negative mental wellbeing.
What is the hardest mental illness to live with? ›
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
What causes poor mental health? ›
For example, the following factors could potentially result in a period of poor mental health: childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect. social isolation or loneliness. experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism.
How to tell if someone is mentally ill? ›
Mental health problems are common, so it's important to be aware of possible signs. Feeling worried, depressed, guilty, worthless or feeling an exaggerated sense of 'high' may be signs of a mental health issue. Changes in sleep, weight, personal hygiene or activity at school or work may hint at a mental health issue.
How to heal your mind? ›
Mindfulness practices can help you be in the present moment and see that, at this moment, you are just fine. Allow yourself to feel the fullness of your grief, anger, pain, or loss without attaching further meaning, stories, or thoughts. This can be deeply healing and helpful in processing emotions.
How to define well-being? ›
Well-being has been defined as the combination of feeling good and functioning well; the experience of positive emotions such as happiness and contentment as well as the development of one's potential, having some control over one's life, having a sense of purpose, and experiencing positive relationships [23].
It is said that mindfulness is the key to a strong and healthy mental being. While that is true, mindfulness is not the only way to achieve this. Mental health can be achieved through three main practices, which are mental flexibility, mindfulness, and resilience.
How to deal with a mentally unstable person? ›
For example:
- Listen. Simply giving someone space to talk, and listening to how they're feeling, can be really helpful in itself. ...
- Offer reassurance. Seeking help can feel lonely, and sometimes scary. ...
- Stay calm. ...
- Be patient. ...
- Try not to make assumptions. ...
- Keep social contact.
Try these seven strategies when you feel stuck:
- Let go of the past. Listen to the stories in your head. ...
- Change your perspective. ...
- Start with small changes. ...
- Explore your purpose. ...
- Believe in yourself. ...
- Practice being hopeful. ...
- Consider talking to a professional.
How can I improve my mental health?
- Staying positive. ...
- Practicing gratitude, which means being thankful for the good things in your life. ...
- Taking care of your physical health, since your physical and mental health are connected. ...
- Connecting with others. ...
- Developing a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
One of the most widely cited definitions of wellbeing is as follows: “wellbeing can be understood as how people feel and how they function both on a personal and social level, and how they evaluate their lives as a whole” [13] (p. 6).
What is the difference between mental illness and mental well-being? ›
While mental health is always there and may be positive or negative, mental illness affects a person's ability to function over a long period of time. Mental illness is not the same as feeling sad, unhappy, or stressed because of difficult situations.
