Sometimes as students it can be hard to manage mental health issues and the stress of school. Through NMU counseling services, students who are experiencing mental health crises can meet with licensed professionals confidentially at no cost. The office is located at C.B. Hedgecock 3405 and is open during the semester Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with hours during the summer Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“If students have had long-term therapy, they need to make sure they have a good plan set up before they come to NMU. Our counseling services are a brief model and if students need more long-term assistance we can help refer them to the community,” Jean Kupper, licensed clinical social worker for counseling services said.
The office offers one-on-one therapy, group therapies and other mental health resources to help students through their difficult times. Due to COVID-19, the office has shifted to a telehealth model providing all of their assistance virtually.
“Students who have concerns or issues will call the office and they will have a brief phone screen assessment and then they will talk to a counselor who will determine if counseling services are appropriate for their need. If they are approved they will receive a telehealth link shortly after,” Kupper
Kupper says that although the office shifted to a virtual format, that didn’t reduce the training the staff had to undergo.
“All of the clinician staff were trained intensively and were certified mental health telehealth providers,” Kupper said.
Kupper urges students who might need more long-term care to make a plan prior to moving. He says having a mental health plan that fits the student before coming to NMU will make the transition smoother.
“If you are used to seeing a therapist long-term basis and have a provider make sure to make a plan with that provider to maintain services while you are at Northern … whether that be the medication you have to take or if a student wants to talk to their therapist from home on an ongoing basis. I always encourage students to have a plan prior to coming to college,” Kupper said.
In addition to the regularly offered counseling services, the office also offers a service called Therapy Assistance Online. The service is an online library of mental wellness resources such as assessments, logs and a meditation library. The service is completely free and open to any NMU students. To sign up for TAO you can do so at the counseling services website.
“All services are strictly confidential and free for all students. We work a brief counseling model if students have long-term care needs we can refer them to the community,” Kupper said.
