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
Badger Support Network
The BSN is a student organization that fundamentally works to de-stigmatize mental health through peer-facilitated groups and bi-weekly community events.
MHS Outreach Processing Spaces
Process spaces are programs for UW–Madison students that provide easy access to confidential support and consultation with peers and counselors from UHS Mental Health Services. Each process space is focused on a specific topic, identity, or concern.
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 this form and you will receive a link to a video session after 12:00 pm on the date of the space you select. Sign ups for each processing space end at 12:00 pm on the date they occur. When you join the process space, you will wait in the “virtual waiting room” until the provider is available to start the space. Each process space is hosted by a UHS counselor and is attended by UW-Madison students who share the specified concern or identity.
Masculinity & Mental Health Discussion Space: The Movember 2020 campaign focuses on raising awareness of men’s mental health concerns, reducing stigma around seeking help and support, and increasing connection as more and more of our interactions with others are virtual. This virtual space will discuss these topics, including breakout groups based on personal identities to facilitate discussions on masculinity and what it means to be a man. Breakout spaces will include: LGBTQ+ folx, Men of Color, and White Men.
Monday, November 9 – 5:30-7 p.m.
zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqdO-urjgqHNXMhVC3ajM_Cl6pHYN2hYCi [registration required]
Students of Color Processing Space: We recognize that communities of color are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are also experiencing complex concerns related to systemic racism, police brutality, and efforts for social justice. 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.
• Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm
• Dates: 9/23, 10/21, 11/18
Coping with 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.
• Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm
• Dates: 9/9, 10/7, 11/4, 12/9
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.
• Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 pm
• Dates: 9/30, 10/28, 12/2
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.
• Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 pm
• Dates: 9/16, 10/14, 11/11
Connection in Quarantine group:
Open to all students who are currently quarantining due to possible exposure to or positive diagnosis of COVID-19. Focuses on students providing each other support and connection. Offered every two weeks.
• Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 pm
• Dates: 9/9, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12,2
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.