Where to find support for graduate student mental health
As a grad student, your daily schedule can sometimes feel overwhelming, as you make an effort to balance coursework with teaching, employment, friends and family and other responsibilities. As a result, it can feel like there’s not enough time to take care of yourself. To help better meet the needs of graduate students, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) has launched a number of programs to help you easily access support services both online and in-person.
Online one-on-one counseling
CAPS offers one-on-one therapy sessions to qualifying graduate students through private video sessions with a counselor. The online counseling program is a great option if you’re not on campus regularly or have a schedule that makes it difficult to seek in-person counseling.
To qualify for online counseling:
- Complete a walk-in evaluation in the CAPS office. Walk-in hours are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Work with your individual counselor to determine if online counseling is an appropriate option.
Online counseling is not suitable for all situations. If you are having thoughts of suicide, self-harm or are experiencing a crisis, please contact the 24/7 crisis line at 303-492-2277 to get connected with immediate help.
Graduate-specific counseling groups
CAPS offers process groups specifically for graduate students, including a general process group, a women’s group and a men’s group. Meeting times are based on group member availability, so they can be built around your schedule. If you are interested in joining a graduate process group, please contact CAPS at 303-492-2277 or stop by for a walk-in to schedule a group screening.
Let’s Talk
Let’s Talk offers free, informal and confidential consultations with a counselor at a variety of locations on campus. Students do not need to complete a walk-in evaluation or be an established client in CAPS to access the Let’s Talk Program. This service is great for graduate students who:
- Aren’t sure about counseling or are looking to explore their options;
- Have a specific problem or concern that they would like to talk through with a professional counselor; or,
- Have a concern about a friend or family member and would like ideas about what to do.
Counselors can be found in a variety of locations across campus, including academic buildings and other popular locations. The full Let’s Talk schedule is available online.
Counseling at Engineering and Wolf Law
CAPS has several counselors working within the College of Engineering and Wolf Law. These counselors provide the same one-on-one counseling services as the main CAPS office, but they offer appointments within the college’s academic buildings. To schedule an appointment with one of these program-specific counselors, contact CAPS at 303-492-2277.
SilverCloud
If you are looking to move at your own pace, CAPS also offers , an online portal that is free for students, graduate students, staff and faculty. This self-paced tool allows users to explore three emotional health topics: anxiety, depression and stress. Each module offers information, tips and techniques for improved emotional well-being. The program helps individuals identify and enhance strengths and skills, learn techniques to overcome and manage symptoms of low mood and depression and develop coping skills to combat anxiety and anxious thoughts.
Explore additional counseling services
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers a wide variety of groups and workshops for graduate students, including skill-based process groups for specific concerns, identity-based process groups and workshops to build helpful life skills.