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What mental health services are available at Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) for students?

Student Health and Counseling offers individual, group, and urgent on call counseling for students. Specific services include:

  • Short-term individual counseling is offered free to all Carleton students.
  • Unlimited group counseling
  • Psychiatry – medication consultation, initiation, and maintenance
  • Dietitian – nutrition therapy for students struggling with their relationship with food
  • Referrals to off-campus therapy (so students can seek specialists or find providers whom they can see for longer-term therapy.)
  • Supportive counseling for any issue, large or small.  You don’t need to be in crisis or have a diagnosed mental health issue to seek care.
  • Emergency After-Hours phone consultation

For more information about SHAC counseling services, staff available, or reasons students might seek care, visit the SHAC counseling services webpage.

Are counseling services confidential?

Yes. All counseling services are confidential. Information regarding a student’s counseling cannot be released, except as dictated by law, without the written consent of the student. No record of the student’s visit is placed on a transcript or academic record.

Is there a 24 hour support line for students?

Yes! Students can call 855-705-2479 any day, any time and speak with a mental health professional.

Faculty and staff may also call the number to discuss concerns they have about a student and talk through potential solutions and/or ways to support the student.

Can you explain how confidentiality works? What can you share and what can’t you share with faculty?

Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) can only release information about a patient if that student provides written consent and completes a release of information form. Without a release, SHAC can answer questions concerning steps to take in assisting students or offer information about general psychological concerns. With a release, SHAC can say if a student is being seen or has kept an appointment, discuss the content of sessions, and discuss treatment plans or progress.

What happens when I submit a Community Concern Form (CCF)?

Community Concern Form submissions are initially reviewed by the Dean of Students Office within 24-48 hours. Follow-up is made with the person who filled out the CCF (if you have checked the box on the form saying you’d like follow up).

Depending on the nature of the concern, various options exist:

  • More information is gathered about the person of concern/situation (other Faculty, Residential Life, etc.)
  • Resources are provided to the person who filled out the CCF in case they would like to handle the follow up
  • A conversation with the person of concern will likely happen, almost always after a check-in with the person who filled out the CCF
  • As needed, the CARE team will take up the concern, engaging a full range of longer term supports

What is the CARE team?

The CARE team is a standing committee tasked with reviewing students of concern and engaging in both short term and long term follow up. Members include staff from the Dean of Students Office, Residential Life, Security Services, Student Health and Counseling, Title IX, and Community Standards.

How does a leave of absence (LOA) work?

Faculty and Staff may wish to refer students to the Dean of Students website, which provides information on the three forms of absences (medical, military service, and personal). There is also a roadmap to guide students through the process of requesting a leave of absence.

Additionally, Faculty and Staff may reach out to Sindy Fleming in the Dean of Students Office for guidance in communicating with students regarding leaves of absence.

How does a student request an academic accommodation?

The Office of Accessibility Resources website outlines the steps to request an academic accommodation. You can also find details on requesting housing and dining accommodations. Additional information on the site includes information on exam modifications, temporary disabilities, assistive technology, and more.