The University of Houston offers a variety of resources and training that support the mental health and emotional well-being of our faculty, staff and students.

• Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Tips and Training

STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

• CAPS: UH Counseling and Psychological Services offers crisis support by phone 24/7 at 713-743-5454. CAPS is also available to also assist if you are concerned about a fellow student who may be struggling or in crisis. From more traditional individual and couples counseling to workshops, group therapy, and single-session therapy, CAPS offers a dynamic array of services to students.

• Free 24/7 Support: The UH Student Health Insurance Program offers 24/7 FREE access to complete assessment, counseling, individual crisis intervention, support for stress, depression, family and relationship concerns, and substance abuse. Students can access these services on the program website (enter company code AHPI) or by calling 1-866-349-5575. The program is available free to all students, regardless of health insurance, through May 31.

• “Let’s Talk”: The “Let’s Talk” program provides daily, easy access to informal confidential consultations with CAPS therapists. Consultations are free of charge, and no appointment or paperwork is needed. Let’s Talk is offered multiple times per week at various locations in-person or virtual.

• Grief Support Groups are available for students who want to process their emotions in a shared setting with fellow community members. This is a discussion-based support group.

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 988. Counselors are also available to chat online or by texting “HOME” to 741 741

• Student Health Center Psychiatry Clinic is available to currently enrolled UH students. Call 713-743-5149 during clinic hours, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to schedule an appointment.

• UH Health Family Care Center: The UH Health Family Care Center offers affordable, comprehensive primary care services in one convenient location. Staffed by physicians from the Fertitta Family College of Medicine, the UH Family Care Center offers outpatient mental health services, integrated behavioral health services and psychiatry. Call 713-743-9682 or use the web form to schedule an appointment.

• The Harris Center: The Harris Center offers a wide variety of mental health services to Harris County – from inpatient and outpatient treatment to education and counseling. Multiple locations are available in the Houston area and services are cost-effective. The Harris Center does not deny services based on a patient’s inability to pay.

• UH College of Nursing Health Clinic: This nurse-managed clinic delivers community-centered health care in the heart of Midtown for people who need affordable, accessible care. Located at 5401 Fannin in Abraham Station, the clinic is open Mondays and Thursdays. Call 832-842-8203 for an appointment.

• CoogsCARE: If you are experiencing housing complications, lack of transportation, lack of funds or childcare complications, or if you are looking to build your life skills in other areas such as managing finances or maintaining healthy eating habits, visit CoogsCARE to find a comprehensive list of student resources.

• A.D. Bruce Religion Center offers spiritual support and a variety of programs centered on well-being.

• Community Counseling Referrals: Please refer to list of available mental health clinics, therapists and psychiatric resources in Houston.

• Academic Accommodations: Academic accommodations can be requested through Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center.

• Excused Absences: The excused absence policy is available online.

• LGBTQ Resource Center: The mission of the LGBTQ Resource Center is to cultivate safe spaces on campus and within our Center’s programs, empowering LGBTQ students to develop their authentic identity, and become proud, successful, engaged members of the UH community.

• Cougars in Recovery: Cougars in Recovery (CIR) provides students in recovery from addiction a safe and substance-free environment that assists and supports them as they pursue their academic and professional goals, walk the path of recovery, and participate in the diverse social opportunities available on campus.

FACULTY AND STAFF MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

• Employee Assistance Program

  The University's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider is available to all UH benefits-eligible employees and their dependents. EAP services are confidential and offered at no cost both virtually and in-person in several locations throughout the Houston area.

  • Employees can call the EAP toll-free: 1-888-993-7650
  • Access EAP online or learn more about the services available via the HR website
  • Visit the EAP webpage directly: deeroakseap.com (login & password: UHMC)
  • Access services by phone on the iConnecstYou app (passcode: 230179) available in the app store.
  • Available 24/7, you and your dependents are entitled to three free counseling sessions per issue per year.
  • Licensed professionals provide counseling sessions for all types of life’s concerns.

• Employee Health Insurance Benefits: Employees covered by Health Select of Texas, Health Select or Health Select Secondary are eligible for virtual counseling and psychiatry visits through either Doctor on Demand or MDLive.

• UH Health Family Care Center: The UH Health Family Care Center offers affordable, comprehensive primary care services in one convenient location. Staffed by physicians from the Fertitta Family College of Medicine, the UH Family Care Center offers outpatient mental health services, integrated behavioral health services and psychiatry. Call 713-743-9682 or use the web form to schedule an appointment.

• “Let’s Talk”: Program provides daily, easy access to informal confidential consultations with CAPS therapists. It is available if you are looking for support or guidance on situation with a student, colleague or yourself. Consultations are free of charge and no appointment or paperwork is needed. Let’s Talk is offered multiple times per week at various locations, in-person or virtual.

• CAPS: Faculty and staff may call the UH Counseling and Psychological Services crisis support line at 713-743-5454 if you believe a member of the UH community may need support. You can also volunteer to escort the individual directly to CAPS, located in the Health 2 Building, room 2005. If you have an immediate concern for someone's health and well-being, contact UHPD at 713-743-3333 or dial 9-1-1.

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 988. Counselors are also available to chat online or by texting “HOME” to 741 741

• Community Counseling Referrals: Please refer to list of available mental health clinics, therapists and psychiatric resources in Houston.

• UH College of Nursing Health Clinic: This nurse-managed clinic delivers community-centered health care in the heart of Midtown for people who need affordable, accessible care. Located at 5401 Fannin in Abraham Station, the clinic is open Mondays and Thursdays. Call 832-842-8203 for an appointment.

• The Harris Center: The Harris Center offers a wide variety of mental health services to Harris County – from inpatient and outpatient treatment to education and counseling. Multiple locations are available in the Houston area and services are cost-effective. The Harris Center does not deny services based on a patient’s inability to pay.

• Office of Faculty Engagement and Development: The UH FED covers critical happenings and resources regarding mental health at UH and in our collaborative communities. Visit the Faculty Café to meet colleagues and collaborate or sip coffee and write or grade in collegial company.

• Workplace Accommodations: Equal Opportunity Services (EOS) is available to facilitate reasonable workplace accommodations.

TIPS AND TRAINING

• Suicide Prevention Training: QPR, "Question, Persuade, Refer," is a nationally recognized suicide prevention program designed to educate participants to recognize and respond to the signs of suicidal thinking or behavior.

• “Helping Students of Concern” training: Together we can help to identify someone in need and serve as a protective safety net. Learn more on the CAPS website.

• Mental Health First Aid is a free, 8-hour course that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental illnesses, builds an understanding of their impact, and overviews common supports. Groups can request a training.

• Tips for managing the classroom or workplace during difficult times:

  • Encourage your team to take the time for self-care mindfully. Interacting with your employees or students in a compassionate and understanding way will reduce their stress response and prevent increased anxiety.
  • Stay connected. Ask your team members/students “How are you?” and listen. Don't be afraid to set a positive example by sharing your personal reactions.
  • Have compassion; understand every person is unique. We all have our own life experiences. Have compassion for others and expect that people will be affected and react differently to traumatic events. Be sensitive to those differences.
  • Encourage our community members to take advantage of the free and confidential resources available to them. If you are concerned about a member of our community or are uncertain or uncomfortable at any point, please consult CAPS at 713-743-5454.
  • Follow the advice you gave employees, colleagues or students. Take a few deep breaths regularly to reduce the effect of stress on your body and mind. Choose healthy and positive ways to manage your own stress response.
  • Accommodations: If an employee is requesting a workplace accommodation, it can be evaluated through Equal Opportunity Services. (academic accommodations are evaluated through Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center).
  • Self-Care: Remember, you cannot help support others unless you are taking care of yourself.

• Know the behaviors of a person who may be struggling:

  • Marked changes in performance
  • Poor attendance at work or class
  • Changes in emotional states (sadness; crying; lethargy; irritability; rapid speech; preoccupation; increased and more intense disagreement with peers, instructor or manager; a sense of confusion)
  • Changes in physical well-being (swollen eyes from crying, increased illness, poor self-hygiene, rapid weight loss/gain)
  • Repeated requests for special considerations for work duties/class assignments
  • Behaviors that may interfere with the workplace or classroom (outbursts of anger, domination of discussion)

• Know the behaviors of a person who may need intervention:

  • Highly disruptive behavior (verbal hostility, aggression, and failure to comply with corrective feedback)
  • Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, pressured speech; disorganized, confused or rambling thoughts)
  • Loss of contact with reality (seeing or hearing things that others cannot see or hear; irrational beliefs or fears that others may be conspiring against them)
  • Stalking behaviors and inappropriate communications (including threatening letters, e-mail messages; harassment)
  • Suicidal thoughts and/or threats to harm others (may be communicated orally or in written formats through e-mail, assignments, or on a social network)