Mental Health Services
University Health and Counseling provides Mental Health services to students on the Boston campus. Services are available via phone, video and in person by appointment. UHCS offers mental health walk-in hours daily.
Walk-in hours are available:
- Monday through Friday 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Tuesday and Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Find@Northeastern
24/7 Urgent mental health support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any location by calling 877.233.9477 (in the U.S.), 855-229-8797 (Canada), +1.781.457.7777 (outside the U.S.). You will be immediately connected with a mental health clinician who can provide in-the-moment support and recommendations for next steps. Through Find@Northeastern, students have access to a variety of mental health resources including peer-to-peer support at Togetherall, free access to the Headspace app and more.
Emergencies
Should you or someone you know have a medical or mental health emergency, please call NUPD at 617.373.3333 (or 911 off-campus) or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
College, from undergraduate orientation through graduate and Ph.D. programs, presents most people with new challenges and struggles that at times may impact health and success. Meeting with a mental health clinician can help.
How to have a mental health visit at UHCS
If you are interested in speaking with one of our mental health clinicians, call UHCS at 617.373.2772, option #2. You will be scheduled for a brief phone appointment with one of our mental health clinicians. In that call, you’ll be asked to share a little about what’s prompting your interest. You and the mental health clinician will review options and set up next steps. Next steps could include scheduling a counseling or medication appointment, support group, or a referral to ongoing therapy in the local community.
Can I walk-in and talk to someone?
Walk-in hours are available:
- Monday, Wednesday and, Friday 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Tuesday and Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
To see a clinician for a walk-in visit during the designated hours, present to UHCS and let the Patient Support Specialist know you are looking to speak with a mental health clinician.
What do I need before my first scheduled visit?
For in-person visits: Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment and bring your NUID.
For telehealth visits: Please be available at the scheduled time to receive a call from the mental health clinician. It is important to be in a quiet, private space that is free of distractions during the visit. If meeting with the clinician via video call, it is important that you use a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi. Limited telehealth visits are available at this time.
What if I need to change or cancel my appointment?
If you need to cancel or change your telehealth appointment, you must notify the clinician and/or UHCS in advance. Call UHCS 617-373-2772.
What happens after I schedule a telehealth visit?
At this time limited telehealth visits are available. You will receive an email to your Outlook Account at the time the appointment is created and again 15 minutes before the start of the appointment. Please check your SPAM folder if it is not in your inbox. The message will appear as below:
If there is no box saying, “Start Televisit,” check the top of the email you may need to do one of the following: expand the message, click to view the message in a browser, download pictures, or unblock content blocked by Outlook. If you have not received this email, can’t find it, or have any other issues, contact your clinician or the front desk as soon as possible
How do I find a private quiet place on campus for my telehealth visit?
The university has identified a variety of quiet spaces where students can study and have private conversations. If you have an appointment with UHCS and would like to find a private space, please review the study spaces website to see availability.
What happens during my inital telephone or walk-in visit?
In a telephone or walk-in visit with a mental health clinician (Licensed Mental Health Clinician, Social Worker, Psychologist, or Nurse Specialist in Clinical Psychiatry) will conduct a brief assessment (fifteen to thirty minutes). Please be open with your clinician so that they can effectively assess your concerns. Inform the clinician of your history, including previous illness, hospitalizations, and any and all medication you have been prescribed in the past. The clinician will review their understanding of your concerns, identify and address your immediate needs, and review a care and safety plan as well as recommendations, which may include:
- Scheduling a follow-up visit with a UHCS clinician for further assessment
- Scheduling a medication assessment
- Referral to ongoing treatment in the local community
- Referral to a student support group at UHCS
- Other helpful campus resources and supports
- Resources and self-care steps you may take to help manage your condition.
Why might I be referred to treatment in the local community?
UHCS offers brief assessment and follow-up visits. We will refer you to a local psychotherapist and/or medication provider if we determine that you would benefit from or if you would prefer ongoing treatment. Clinicians in the community are generally able to provide longer-term treatment, more consistent and flexible scheduling, such as evening, Saturday, weekly, and video counseling appointments. For more information about community mental health care, click here.
How long are mental health visits?
- Telephone triage calls – 15 minutes
- Walk-in and follow-up visits – 15 to 30 minutes.
- Medication assessment visits may take up to 1 hour.
- Student support groups are generally 1 hour.
Is my treatment confidential?
All services at UHCS are confidential. No information will be shared with anyone outside of UHCS without your consent. You may review more information about confidentiality and release of medical information here.
Does UHCS provide sick notes?
UHCS does not provide sick notes. Find more information on our sick note policy here.
What else do I need to know?
Some students may feel more comfortable with—or require— the help of a translator. Translator services are available. Please call UHCS and speak with a patient support specialist to find out more.
Want to know more about Find@Northeastern mental health resources?
Visit Find@Northeastern to find the right support for you.