University Counseling Center
The mission of the Saint Louis University Counseling Center is to promote the psychological health and development of the SLU community using a holistic approach to wellness through a lens of social justice.
By establishing culturally fluent, evidence-based approaches to mental health treatment, our center aims to create a safe and empathic environment that honors the individual and collective identities and experiences of all students. Our goal is to provide affirming and compassionate care, a visible presence throughout the campus, and a recognized partner in the larger well-being ecosystem — to contribute to student success.
Making an Appointment
To talk with our SLU University Counseling Center staff, make a counseling appointment, or ask a question, please call our main phone number at 314-977-8255 (TALK) or use our online scheduler.
Request a counseling appointment
Counseling services are free to all qualifying students at Saint Louis University, including those in full-time, part-time, graduate, law and medical programs. Services to online students/remote learners are governed, and at times limited, by practice standards and laws of each state. We offer SLU students a variety of treatment options to meet their needs:
- The University Counseling Center offers traditional, scheduled, in-person and virtual appointments.
- Our 24/7 behavioral health nurse triage line remains available for immediate student consultation anytime by calling 314-977-8255 and pressing option 9.
- For students who prefer the convenience of telehealth appointments, you may access our contracted telehealth company (MDLive) for scheduled counseling sessions. Call 314-977-8255, press option 9 and ask to schedule a virtual appointment with an MDLive counselor.
- Students who prefer to discuss personal issues by messaging are encouraged to text “HOME” to 741741 to access a counselor for on-demand assistance.
- For students who prefer to meet with an off-campus counselor, you may contact our care manager for help finding a local referral.
- To schedule an appointment by phone, call our main phone number at 314-977-8255 (TALK) and press option # 0 (zero).
- Appointments can be made in person during business hours with Senior Patient Care Coordinator Shontay Kimmins. Our office is on the second floor of Wuller Hall on the North Campus.
- Your initial consultation appointment will typically last 30-50 minutes.
- You will be asked to complete several forms.
- Your provider will recommend treatment and follow-up options.
- In some cases, you may be referred to a physician and/or psychiatrist as part of your care.
Personalized Well-being Model and Culture of Community Care
The University Counseling Center team is committed to supporting the well-being needs of all students by taking a holistic approach to mental health care that is personalized and collaborative in nature.
Each student seeking counseling support will first be offered a comprehensive wellness consultation with one of our mental health professionals, which will help to identify the most appropriate interventions, resources and plan of care. Recommendations will be based on the student’s concerns, goals, history and current functioning. These recommendations will also be determined by various assessment results and the counselor’s clinical judgment.
These services are designed to offer care in the least restrictive manner possible — recognizing that distress isn’t always best served through counseling sessions but may instead involve helping the student access one or more community-based resources on or off campus.
As we continue to trust and empower all community members to recognize their influence in supporting students, we center our intervention structure within a sphere of care that promotes flourishing and resilience. In doing so, we believe there will be improved access to therapeutic counseling services, enhanced collaboration with campus and community partners, and greater individualized pathways to care that are focused on and consider the unique needs of each student.
Crisis Support and Warning Signs
If you or someone you know is having trouble coping with stressful events, the Saint Louis University Counseling Center is here to help. During normal business hours, contact us at 314-977-8255 (TALK) or visit the clinic. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer break.
Services
The University Counseling Center provides support services to any qualifying student who may be having an extremely difficult time managing emotions, coping with grief and loss and/or dealing with the impact of a traumatic incident (e.g. sexual assault/interpersonal violence).
Crisis services are also designed to work with a student who is experiencing a crisis or mental health emergency that disrupts functioning abilities and/or results in feelings or behavior that indicate the intent to self-harm or harm others.
For those students who present with high-risk needs, behaviors and/or suicidal/homicidal ideation, a UCC clinical staff member/clinical graduate assistant will meet immediately with the student for a crisis support session. These sessions are available 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Outside of normal business hours (including weekends and holidays) students in crisis have several options:
- Call 911 immediately if you are facing a life-threatening emergency
- If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org to chat with someone online
- Contact your resident advisor or residence life professional staff
- Call the Department of Public Safety at 314-977-3000
- Consult the University Counseling Center 24/7 behavioral health nurse triage line by calling 314-977-8255 and press option #9. Information about this service is explained below.
About the Nurse Triage Line
The triage line, operated by Fonemed, a telehealth company, provides students immediate access to a behavioral health nurse for routine and crisis assistance 24/7. The scope of the triage line is not to provide immediate counseling but to assess a presenting concern and advise a student on what to do. Students who desire a connection to a licensed mental health professional can request to be connected to MDLive - which will arrange for the student to have a virtual counseling appointment at a later time (typically within 24-48 hours).
For urgent safety needs, the nurses will instruct a caller to either contact 911, SLU Department of Public Safety or proceed to the nearest emergency room for a full safety assessment. For routine needs, a nurse will offer self-help suggestions and refer the student to an appropriate level of care if that is indicated.
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
- Behavioral Health Response (BHR): 314-469-6644 or 800-811-4760
- SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital: 314-577-8000
- Life Crisis Services: 314-647-4357
- National Hopeline Hotline (English and Spanish): 1-800-784-2433
- First Call for Help Hotline (English and Spanish): 1-800-492-0618
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ support): 1-866-488-7386
- BlackLine (Black, Black LGBTQI, Brown, Native and Muslim community):1-800- 604-5841
- TransLifeline 1-877-565-8860
For Those Concerned About a Student in Distress
If you live or work on campus, you might encounter a student with mental health needs. You can take steps to assist and refer them to helpful resources.
Recognizing the warning signs of a student in distress does not require special training or expertise. It does, however, require an awareness of symptoms. Not everyone will directly state that something is wrong, but language and behaviors often do. Look for changes in the following areas:
Withdrawal
- Shows up for an event or class but leaves early
- Makes excuses to avoid social opportunities
- Doesn't seem to connect with others
- Skips class frequently
- Stays in room or bed all day
- Avoids eye contact
Troubling Communications
- Intends to harm self or someone else
- Expresses a hopeless or negative outlook
- Blames self or others for mood/behavior
- Speaks in a confused or disorganized way
Major Changes in Mood or Behavior
- Appears agitated, depressed, "checked-out," uptight or on edge
- Neglects personal hygiene or appearance
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Significant weight gain or loss
- Increased sleep or inability to sleep nearly every day
- Decreased ability to concentrate
Don't be afraid to ask "What's wrong?" or "What's going on?" Simply asking the question won't create a problem where there isn't one. Don't underestimate the importance of listening. Without doing anything else, you are providing the support that could help a student feel heard and understood, maybe for the first time. Face-to-face communication is best when possible, but any (e.g. email, text) communication is better than none.
- Be attentive
- Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal language
- Convey an accepting attitude (e.g., try not to judge or dismiss the person)
Express concern in a calm, nonjudgmental way. Provide words of empathy and normalize their difficulties. Let the student know that you are present for them and that you will help connect them with the proper support.
Allow them space and time to share their feelings without telling them to “stop crying” or that “this isn’t a big deal”. Instead, use phrases such as, “It is okay for you to share and express your feelings,” “I can see that you are having a difficult time,” or “I am concerned about you and sense that you might need some additional support.”
Keep in mind that struggling with normal life events does not always require counseling. However, if the situation is causing a severe reaction (e.g. the student seems to be spiraling downward or not functioning well) or it has been ongoing for more than a week or two, then a referral to counseling may be appropriate.
The University Counseling Center staff are here to offer help, guidance and support. If you would like to consult with a staff member about how to handle a student's concerns, call 314-977-8255 (TALK).
When Should I Refer?
- Review the warning signs above to determine if any apply to the student. Trust your own intuition even if there are no identifiable signs.
- If you have immediate concerns about a student's safety (you think he/she might cause harm to self or others), stay with the student and call the Department of Public Safety at 314-977-3000 or 911. Calling 988 is also an option for those struggling with thoughts of suicide.
- If it is not a life-threatening situation but you are still concerned, you can involve DPS and/or accompany the student to the University Counseling Center during regular business hours.
After-Hours Options
- Contact the student's resident advisor or residence life professional staff
- Speak to on-call campus ministry staff at 314-630-9197
- Call the Department of Public Safety at 314-977-3000
- Consult with an on-call UCC staff member at 314-977-8522 (TALK)
How Do I Refer?
Encourage the student to make an appointment directly if possible. You may want to assist them by dialing the number, waiting while the appointment is made or even walking with them to the University Counseling Center.