COVID-19 Mental Health Services Update
- Thrive Workshops and Group Counseling
sessions are cancelled for the spring 2020 semester. - Processing Spaces are available for connection and exploration.
- Virtual Let’s Talk is available April 27-May 8 via a sign-up sheet.
For more information, visit covid19.wisc.edu.
Mental Health Services provides outreach programs that—in collaboration with campus partners—engage students outside of the main 333 East Campus Mall clinic. Meeting students in locations where they study, work, and live breaks down barriers to care and normalizes having conversations with a counselor. Our objectives are to:
- Educate the campus community about mental health
- Increase mental health literacy
- Help students access services
- Reduce mental health stigma
- Remove barriers to help-seeking
- Recognize and respond to the unique concerns of students from underserved/underrepresented populations
- Craft proactive responses to climate concerns – both campus and nationally
MHS Outreach Processing Spaces
MHS is hosting confidential support spaces for students to connect and process with peers and counselors over the next couple weeks. Each process space is focused on a specific topic, identity, or concern. Please see below for brief descriptions of the spaces and use the link to sign up!
Sign up for a Processing Space Here
How do virtual process spaces work?
Process spaces are provided via a secure and encrypted connection in Zoom for Healthcare. Complete the form in the signup link and you will receive a link to a video session. Sign ups for each processing space end 30 minutes before their start time. Please join the process space session via the link 5 minutes before it starts. You will wait in the “virtual waiting room” until the provider is available to start the process space. Each process space is hosted by a UHS counselor and is attended by UW-Madison students who share the specified concern or identity.
Students of Color Processing Space: We recognize that communities of color may be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, as well as the many changes happening on our campus and community. This processing space is for students of color to connect, seek support, and identify ways to engage in self and community care during this time.
When: Wednesday, April 29th, 2:30-4pm
Connection During COVID: Social distancing and sheltering-in-place have significant impacts on mental health, and students may be experiencing feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Having social support is essential to building resilience during this challenging time. This processing space is for students to find social support and connection virtually during social distancing.
When: Tuesday, April 28th, 1:30-3pm
Coping With Ambiguous Loss and Uncertainty: Many students are having to adjust to a “new normal” in response to COVID-19, including dealing with change, ambiguity, and difficulty planning for the future. This processing space is for students to process these experiences of loss and uncertainty, as well as receive support and validation from peers.
When: Monday, May 4th, 2:30-4pm
International Students Processing Space: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant campus-wide, national, and international changes that have uniquely impacted international students. There are many questions and stressors international students are navigating on top of their role as a student on campus. This processing space is for international students to process these unique stressors, seek support from other international students, and discuss ways to cope and practice self-care during this time.
When: Monday, April 27th, 1-2:30pm
LGBTQ+ Students Processing Space: Finding in-community support is essential to building resilience and feeling connected as LGBTQ+ students, especially while navigating social distancing and sheltering-in-place, sometimes in non-affirming environments. This processing space is for LGBTQ+ students to connect, seek support, and identify ways to engage in self and community care during this time.
When: Tuesday, May 5th, 10:00-11:30am
Grieving Our Loved Ones: For students who are grieving and honoring loved ones, this time may be even more challenging, painful, and isolating. This processing space is for students to gain support and validation from peers as they navigate experiences of grief and loss.
When: Thursday, May 7th, 3-4:30pm
Presentations & Programs
If you would like to request an outreach program or presentation, submit an outreach request form. Topics may include but are not limited to:
- Red Folder+
- General Mental Health Services overview
- Stress management
- Time management
- How to help a friend
- Procrastination
- Critical incident response
Contact Marketing & Health Communications for information on interview requests for student journalists and media.