Volunteer Writer: Thea Heys

Email: theys@umassd.edu

When asked about the counseling center at her university, UMass Dartmouth senior Olivia Fay stated, “I have never been there. I have no idea what they do there, or where it is on campus. I didn’t even know we had that.” 

Despite years spent roaming campus, many college students ignore or are simply not aware of the resources that are offered to them through their universities. Some of these resources have even acquired poor reputations that dissuade students from taking advantage of them.

Erin Carter, Director of the UMass Dartmouth Counseling Center, recalled hearing a tour guide assert to a group of incoming freshmen that “this is the counseling center, I hope you never have to come here,” implying that there is something shameful about the services they provide.

In reality, the counseling center is an accessible, streamlined option for any student seeking mental health support: “It will never be as easy to get treatment as it is as a college student,” Carter asserted. 

In the outside world, the process of securing a therapist can be long and grueling. Waitlists tend to range from weeks to months long, and it often takes more than one appointment to find a provider that feels like the right fit. 

Sasha Perry, another local student, shared her experience with trying different therapists while juggling school and work: “I’ve jumped around to a few different therapists, but the initial waitlist was very long. The process was so frustrating that I haven’t bothered finding a new therapist, because it’s just too overwhelming.” 

Despite these setbacks in finding a therapist beyond campus, the majority of students overlook this convenient opportunity. The counseling center (located between the Main Auditorium and Liberal Arts (LARTS) building, directly above the Admissions Office) offers both in-person and telehealth sessions with licensed therapists or even students, completely covered by their tuition. 

At the counseling center, students can apply and expect to be seen within two weeks. Or, weekdays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, students can book an urgent care appointment to receive immediate support. Tuition and student fees cover all co-pays and late fees, and if a student’s insurance doesn’t cover the initial cost of their visits, Carter assured that “we would still work with that student, we really wouldn’t turn anybody away. We would figure it out with a student.”

The UMassD Counseling Center welcomes all students of varying backgrounds, and have outlined a statement of solidarity that outlines these values of inclusion:

“We stand in solidarity with our students in affirming the dignity, humanity, and worth of all members of our campus community. We stand against hate, oppression, and discrimination, and work to uphold the principles of peace, equality, and justice in our work and in our communities.”

Unlike other college or university therapy offices, the counseling center has no session caps. This means that students can schedule as many sessions as they’d like, even with the same provider. 

However, Carter emphasizes that there is also no commitment to the counseling center after you’ve attended an appointment. Anyone is welcome to appear for just one or two sessions without the expectation of recurring meetings. In fact, the average number of sessions a student attends during their time at the university is three, spanning across a semester or two. 

The booking process has recently been made even easier, now offering the option to sign up online through the health services portal on the UMassD website, although it is still an option to simply call the center (508.999.8648 or 8650) and plan an appointment over the phone. To make matters more accessible, the center has three computers available in their waiting room for students to use and get assistance setting up appointments or filling out paperwork.

The end of the academic year can be especially stressful, which is why the counseling center staff work tirelessly to ensure that UMass Dartmouth students have consistent and reliable access to mental health support. 

April 13th to 17th is Mental Health Week at the UMass Dartmouth, and the counseling center is hosting several interactive events to bridge the gap between staff and students, including Zen Gardens (Monday 4/13 12:00-3:00pm), Mental Health Kahoot! (Wednesday 4/15 1:30-2:30pm), and Kindness Takes Flight Project (Wednesday 4/15 12:00-2:00pm). At these events, students can interact with the counselors, scope out the center’s location in a low-stakes environment, and unwind from the end-of-semester stress. The full schedule for Mental Health Week can be accessed here. 

“I hope that we can work over time to dispel the myth of what counseling looks like,” Erin confided; and she looks forward to a future where a student can “just walk into the office without this daunting feeling like ‘I did something wrong, or I’m doing something wrong, or there’s something wrong with me.’”