Mental health is an often overlooked aspect of overall well-being, yet is essential for us to maintain should we want to live successful and enriching lives. Providing mental health resources for all students is no easy feat, and yet the University has been able to create opportunities for students to explore in regards to addressing their mental health. In fact, “All Boise State students, regardless of insurance coverage, are eligible to receive services at the Health Center” (1). Furthermore, “All Boise State employees are eligible to receive medical, counseling and wellness services at the Health Center” (1). Reaching out for help may feel like an intimidating prospect, however, I hope that by shedding some more light on the resources provided by Boise State, those who may need help can obtain it with ease and comfort.
Counseling Services Offered Through Boise State
The University Health Services offers several types of counseling services to all groups and types of students. These services include:
- Individual
- Multi-person / Couples
- Group
- GradWell
Call University Health Services at (208) 426-1459 to schedule an appointment. They are available to take your call during the hours listed below:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Wednesday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling sessions are usually short and focused on finding and addressing a solution. These are one-on-one style counseling sessions that are open to addressing “…personal issues that may be psychological, developmental, behavioral, social, or academic in nature.” If your needs go beyond what the Boise State individual sessions can provide, your counselor will work with you to connect with a local, community provider that is best suited to support your needs.
Multi-Person / Couples Counseling
Contrary to popular belief, “couples counseling” is not only reserved for those who are romantically involved. This type of counseling service is applicable to roommates, friends, coworkers, partners, etc. Within these sessions, Boise State students can expect to be assisted with “…romantic relationship difficulties, beginning and ending relationships, sexual concerns, pre-marital planning, roommate problems, and family issues.”
Group Counseling
While opening up to a group of people may seem intimidating to some, group counseling has been proven to be beneficial for a vast majority of those who utilize their services. In fact, group counseling provides some benefits that individual therapy simply cannot. According to the American Psychological Association, “Groups can act as a support network and a sounding board. Other members of the group often help you come up with specific ideas for improving a difficult situation or life challenge, and hold you accountable along the way” (3). This accountability and sense of community is a great aspect to group counseling that people may often overlook, however, it is incredibly beneficial to those who are in need of counseling services as a whole. Boise State offers several types of group sessions to consider based upon your academic standing and personal identity. In light of the pandemic, some group sessions are currently being held over Zoom while others are in-person. View Boise State’s Group Counseling page for specific information regarding times and locations for each group.
GradWell Counseling
GradWell is a counseling program offered through Boise State specifically for graduate students and staff / faculty members. GradWell graduate students are able to receive individual or group counseling through the program. Additionally, the GradWell program offers sessions through TeleHealth, which is a great benefit to have during these times. GradWell also offers tips on social distancing and their GradConnect service, which allows graduate students to foster relationships with one another in a series of virtual workshops. For staff and faculty members, GradWell provides a program called GradWell Faculty Connections, which, similar to GradConnect, allows faculty and staff members to connect with one another and discuss mental health resources for graduate students through a series of virtual workshops.
Other Services
Health Services also provides consultation and outreach services in addition to their counseling services. These include:
- Crisis Intervention
- Outreach Presentations
- Resources and Consultation
- Resources for Online/Distant Students
Additionally, Health Services provides ways to access and utilize a variety of assessments and tools such as:
- ADHD & Other Assessments
- Alcohol and Drug Screenings
- Screenings
- Coping Skills
Finally, Health Services also provides training and partnership programs for students, faculty, and staff to take advantage of. These include:
- Fellowship Training Program – Counseling Services
- Training and Education Seminars
Overall, Boise State University’s Health Services Center provides a plethora of mental health and assistance resources for their students, faculty, and staff. Ranging from multi-person counseling to training programs, this institution has successfully been able to provide support for all Broncos in a variety of forms.
- University Health Services: https://www.boisestate.edu/healthservices/who-can-use-uhs/
- Individual Counseling: https://www.boisestate.edu/healthservices/counseling/individual-counseling/
- Multi-Person / Couples Counseling: https://www.boisestate.edu/healthservices/counseling/multi-person-couples-counseling/
- Group Therapy