There's more to campus than FHP! Each week we highlight a different campus resource you should know about.

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Counseling Services: More than You Think

Where professional meets educational

Many students come to college very concerned about being academically prepared to excel in college. What often goes overlooked is another barrier to your success: your mental health is just as critical to success in college as your ability to remember fluid mechanics equations or analyze Shelley's "Ozymandias." Students can struggle with different things throughout their time at college: stress; anxiety; depression; suicidal thoughts; self-injury; relationship problems; physical, sexual, and verbal abuse histories; eating disorders; discrimination; and others. 46.4% of Americans will experience some kind of a mental disorder during their lives, and these disorders often first present themselves in college-age people.
Student Counseling Services (SCS) has a staff of PhD level psychologists, post-docs, psychology interns, counselors, graduate assistants, and practicum students available to help you - all of this available to you right here on campus. There is no cost for counseling at SCS. SCS is also changing to best meet your needs, including telecounseling this semester and the Lets Talk program that meets on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. These are services that are here for YOU, so seek them out!

See the entire range of services offered by Student Counseling Services - click here!

Biofeedback = Recover from Life's Stressors

SCS's Biofeedback Center is a unique tool that FHP students are often exposed to in their Honors 121 classes. The point of Biofeedback is to better gauge (and manage) your body's physiological responses to the many, many everyday events that stress us out. To use this program, students attend an initial orientation as an introduction, and then are eligible for (FREE) tools and programs provided by SCS. Click on the button below for more information, or if you don't get a chance to learn about it in Honors 121.

Learn more about Biofeedback!

Where is Student Counseling Services?

Student Counseling Services is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00am-5:00pm. They are located on the 3rd Floor of the Student Services Building and here. There is no charge for individual appointments with a counselor.

Crisis Services:

If you have an urgent matter and would like to speak to a counselor as soon as possible, please call SCS at 515-294-5056 or stop by their office and request a same-day crisis appointment .
If you are in a life threatening situation or one that could result in harm to yourself or to others, please call 911.

...but wait, there's more than just traditional counseling services at SCS!

the Let's Talk program - is making a counseling appointment too big of a jump for you? No problem: start with the Let's Talk program first.
The TAO online self-help program addressing topics ranging from social anxiety to perfectionism to burnout to depression.
Mindfulness Activities and Guided Meditations

Advice from an Honors Alumna:

Jake Brown, Senior in Biology and Kinesiology

We all go through tough times in our lives, and college is no different. Counseling is a great way to sort out our worries and get through those more difficult periods. Iowa State offers free counseling services to all students, and it's as simple as scheduling an appointment to get started. I went through counseling to work out some personal issues that were distracting me from being myself, and now I am so thankful I went! I am much happier with who I am as a person and my mental health has improved tremendously. Don't be afraid to reach out! Iowa State will give you the tools and the space to express who you are and help you get back to being your best self.

Finally:

Have more questions about SCS, including policies and procedures? Start in the "Getting Started" section on their website here. Most professional services are provided at no charge. When testing is recommended, there may be minimum fees that can be charged to students' U-bills. SCS will charge $25 for uncancelled missed appointments.