Pilots Prevent
November 9, 2021
With the onset of COVID-19 and subsequent restrictions, some services at UP’s Health & Counseling Center (HCC) have been altered, but the events of the last year-and-half have only bolstered HCC’s mission to provide inclusive, compassionate care to UP students. Staff have turned the HCC website into a great resource for COVID-19 info, and have provided some new mental health services for Fall 2021 Semester and beyond.
For the time being, most counseling services are conducted over the phone. But Clay Hartmann, Associate Director of Counseling and Training, says some limited in-person services are returning. “Recently, we brought back in-person sessions for same-day crisis appointments.” Crisis-based is generally defined as having recent onset of suicidal or homicidal thoughts. In any emergency, students should call 911 or go to an emergency room, but this addition of in-person, same-day treatment is a small but important step to providing more care to the UP community. “From a programmatic standpoint, it’s a big move for us,” says Hartmann, “and hopefully good for the students.”
Even with four new staff added in August, the HCC remains busy. Staff will provide services to any student, regardless of insurance coverage status, but many students who need medium- to long-term mental health care are referred to off-campus providers. HCC staff are dedicated to empowering students to learn how to navigate the insurance system and will help students find a private practice provider that suits their individual needs. “It’s an important long-term skill,” Hartmann says. “We don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks. We can be a support for the student as they’re learning the system.”
The HCC provides inclusive services to under-represented and marginalized communities, as well. “We want to make sure students know that we want to meet them where they’re at, that we recognize specific care needs for marginalized students,” says Hartmann. Staff have training and experience working with first-generation students, young adults of color, houseless youth, and people experiencing gender-based, racial, intergenerational trauma, and micro- or macro-aggressions.
Hartmann says the HCC has expanded offerings through ProtoCall, which lets students speak to counselors after-hours for confidential situational or crisis support. Just call the HCC at 503.943.7134, and select Option 3. “This is increased coverage so that a student can call 24/7/365, even international students,” says Hartmann. The service is “not a replacement for therapy,” he emphasizes, but it can be used if students are out of town or on vacation, for example, or if a student hasn’t yet established a long-term mental health solution—which is always the goal.
The HCC team is planning to add some exciting and creative additions to their care options. Group therapy was popular last spring semester—it wasn’t possible to implement for Fall, but Hartmann is hopeful that will make a return for Spring 2022. And be on the lookout for the addition of exciting new staff. Henry, aka Dr. Floppy, is a black lab mix who is studying hard to earn his credentials as a licensed therapy pet. And Dr. Pedro, a therapy horse, is also making plans to establish on-campus clinic hours. Stay tuned for more exciting updates.
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5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
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503.943.8000
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