Mental Health

HYBRID TELE-COUNSELING AND IN-PERSON COUNSELING SERVICES:

Beginning August 17, 2020 Student Counseling will transition to a hybrid tele-mental health counseling and in-person counseling service. Fall 2020 will be a hybrid model of tele-health counseling and in-person counseling. Student Counseling will continue offering tele-health services in the place of in-person meetings, especially when at-risk students and/or staff are involved. In-person meetings will be offered when it is the best option clinically. If students are not on campus, but remain in the state of Minnesota, they are eligible for tele-health services. All new students will start with a phone consultation with a counselor to assess best service options. All returning clients should contact the office to discuss best options with your counselor and/or office staff. 

UMM Student Counseling will continue following all policies, procedures and office protocol related to tele-health services and modified in-person services as detailed below.

If students are on campus, and want to meet in person, we will assess this on an as needed basis for each individual. 

• Tele-health Platform, Training & Limitations
• Tele-Mental Health counseling will be provided by our staff counselors via ZOOM. 
• ZOOM is a HIPAA compliant platform 
• Students will be provided with additional instructions to utilize ZOOM when they schedule and more information can be found here:
  • it.umn.edu/zoom-privacy-considerations
  • it.umn.edu/self-help-guide/zoom-teach-meet-learn-zoom
• Counselors have researched and assessed best practices in relation to tele-counseling and tele-mental health services. 
• All counselors have received specialized training to ensure this service best serves our students. 
• Students outside of the State of Minnesota are not able to receive this service as most of our staff are only licensed in the State of Minnesota 
• If there are students needing support outside of the state of Minnesota, we are happy to work with them to find resources in their area and have created several resource documents to assist with this issue. 
• Group sessions are not operating at this time as we continue to assess best options. 
• Let's Talk sessions will be held in the Multiethnic Resource Center Conference Room and Cougar Sport Center Athletics Offices. Hours are listed below.

In-Person Expectations & Guidelines:

• Students are required a wear a mask in the lobby and back to their assigned counselor’s office
• Students will only keep their in-person appointments if they are symptom free of a fever, shortness of breath or a cough or have been exposed to someone who shows signs of COVID-19. 
• Temperatures will be taken by the office manager upon arrival
• Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available upon arrival
• Reception area and counselors offices are arranged for appropriate physical distancing
• Students and staff will maintain safe distancing
• Students resuming or starting in-person services will be required to complete the new in-person consent form for COVID-19 pandemic
• We schedule appointment at specific intervals to minimize the number of people in the waiting room
• We ask all students to arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before their appointment times
• Physical contact is not permitted
• All common areas and objects will be thoroughly disinfect throughout the day
• We ask that students do not enter the Student Counseling office solely to schedule appointments. Please contact the office at 320-589-6060, email at ummcounseling@morris.umn.edu or complete the appointment request form here

 Let’s Talk Platform:

• Student can access counselors during Let’s Talk hours to have a 10-15 minute consultation
• No appointment is necessary, free and confidential
• Hours:
  • Multiethnic Resource Center: Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
  • Cougar Sports Center Athletics Office: Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Visit the Let’s Talk page for more information on this program: Let's Talk

MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINES FOR STUDENTS–LOCAL AND NATIONAL

• If you are struggling and want to talk about adjusting to college life, try the U of M Textline. Just text "UMN" to 61222 and a counselor will be there 24/7 to talk, offer suggestions, or provide you with resources that may help—all through texting. It's a free service for UMN students.
• If you would prefer to talk on the phone, please call the U of M Crisis Line: 612-301-4673 anytime. If you (or someone you know) is having a mental health crisis and/or is in immediate danger, please call 911 immediately.
• Learn to Live: Confidential, free online programs to help with stress, depression, social anxiety and insomnia (enter code "UMN").
• Jed Foundation - COVID-19 and Managing Mental Health: 1-800-273-TALK
• Region 4 Mobile Crisis Team: 701-364-0431