OUCC, Counseling Center, David Schwartz, students, mental health
May 14, 2021
Recognizing the growing need to for mental health support as we work our way through this pandemic, the Oakland University Counseling Center (OUCC) has made the decision to waive all therapy costs for students during the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.
In the past, Oakland University students would get six free sessions and then would be charged $12 per session for the subsequent sessions. By waiving the therapy fees, each student could save more than $100 although there may still be some costs for testing and assessment services.
OUCC services are open to any OU student and are based on a short-term model of therapy. For those students needing long-term counseling, the OUCC team will help with outside referrals. The OUCC also helps OU faculty and staff who might seek mental health support with referrals to resources within the community.
“I think given everything that our students have been through during the past 15 months, this is a nice way of giving back to them and making mental health help more accessible to anyone who seeks our help,” said David Schwartz, Ph.D., psychologist and director of the OU Counseling Center. “We know that mental health support is going to be needed more than ever in the coming year and we want to remove any financial barrier for those who might benefit from counseling.”
In order to get started, students can call (248) 370-3465 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment. In some cases, same day appointments may be available.
If a student has an emergency situation, they should call 911, go to the nearest hospital emergency room, or call one of the following crisis hotline numbers immediately:
Common Ground 1-800-231-1127
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1800-784-2433)
Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
About the OU Counseling Center:
The Oakland University Counseling Center has been serving the students and staff of the university for more than 40 years. Counseling is provided by licensed psychologists, counselors, social workers and interns supervised by licensed psychologists. The OUCC provides a broad range of mental health services which include:
- Personal Counseling
- Psychological and Psychoeducational Testing
- Career Counseling
- Substance Abuse Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention
- Consultation and Outreach
- Crisis Intervention
Finally, students should know that the OUCC offers ongoing support groups in several areas such as:
Anxiety/Stress Group: "Battling Stress During COVID"
Description: Better understand the direct environmental and emotional causes of stress and anxiety, the ways in which the pandemic compounds those feelings, and learn to apply proactive and constructive coping strategies to reduce negative life effects, all in a supportive and non-judgmental virtual environment led by OUCC staff.
Fall Meeting Times:TBD If you or someone you know are interested, please contact Dr. David Schwartz at [email protected]
Grief/Loss Support Group: "Resilient Hope"
Description: Give and receive support for recent losses in your life, ranging from lack of normalcy in everyday life due to the pandemic, to major life changes and the death of loved ones. Learn about normal reactions to loss, the grieving process, and what you can do to help yourself and others, all in a supportive and non-judgmental virtual environment led by OUCC staff.
Fall Meeting Times: TBD. If you or someone you know are interested, please contact Dr. David Schwartz at [email protected]
Academic Success and Stress
Description:
Learn about how to better manage academic stress and life stress. Gain helpful tips on improving coping skills, study skills, time management, and organization, all in a supportive and non-judgmental virtual environment led by OUCC staff.
Fall Meeting time: TBD. If you or someone you know are interested, please contact Dr. David Schwartz at [email protected]