SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Student Counseling Services is currently providing Counseling Services through Telehealth.
Due to licensing laws, Telehealth services MAY NOT be provided to anyone across the Ohio border or in international jurisdictions.
You must be physically located in Ohio, have access to a device for video conferencing and privacy to talk.
Scope of Clinical Services
The YSU Student Counseling Services Center provides free, short-term counseling for currently enrolled YSU students. We work on an appointment basis and will meet with an eligible student to evaluate, assess, and refer to other services as warranted based on the student’s clinical needs.
The scope of care is intended to outline the appropriateness and limits of the Center’s services to students seeking counseling.
- Current services at YSU SCS are free, short-term counseling for currently enrolled YSU students.
- Appointments are scheduled, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm. Please call 330-941-3737 to schedule an appointment.
- YSU Student Counseling Services does not provide psychiatric services in-house.Psychiatric services are available at Mercy Health at Wick (Student Health) via your paid YSU Student Health fee.To access those services, go through your primary care provider at Mercy Health at Wick (Student Health).
- We do not provide Substance Abuse Counseling.
- We do not provide Couple’s and/or Family Counseling.
- We do not provide psychological testing (i.e. cognitive, personality, learning disabilities, attention deficit, etc.)
- We do not provide evaluations or documentation for Emotional Support Animals (ESA), Therapy Animals nor Service Animals.
- We do not provide services for Clients who are court mandated for mental health treatment or Clients who are involved in legal actions that may require forensic and/or psychological testimony.
- We do not duplicate services. If you are already receiving services from an individual provider and/or through a comprehensive treatment center, it is best to continue that relationship. For students with established care providers out of town, you may wish to discuss our scope of care with your providers in order to best plan for your mental health needs during your time here at YSU. Will would be happy to consult with you about your needs and where to get them met.
Eligibility for Services
- Currently enrolled Youngstown State University (YSU) students are eligible for services offered by Student Counseling Services (SCS).
- Students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at the time they seek services.
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“Enrolled” is defined as a student who has registered for classes and remains “registered for classes” on the fourteenth day of each term. The Institute verifies enrollment status for all registered students on the fourteenth day of each term.
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Students may be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours), part-time (6-11 credit hours), or less than part-time (1-5 credit hours) to be eligible for services.
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If a student withdraws from all classes or is withdrawn from all classes, the student is deemed to no longer be enrolled and is therefore no longer eligible for services.
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- Students may be eligible for services during summer terms if they were enrolled and completed the most recent Spring Semester AND are already enrolled for the upcoming Fall semester.
Persons Ineligible for Services
- Faculty and staff
- Persons enrolled in programs not affiliated with a degree (e.g., English Language Institute, Police Academy, Dual Enrollment in a high school (ex. College Credit Plus, YEC, etc.), additional affiliation with other Academic Partners not named here.
- New students who have enrolled in the upcoming semester are not eligible for services before that semester begins.
Exceptions to Eligibility
On occasion, there may be exceptions to the eligibility policy. These instances may include:
- In emergency situations, persons who do not meet the eligibility criteria may be seen for an initial crisis consultation and provided with referrals.
- Clients who withdraw from classes may only be seen for facilitating a referral to an appropriate community provider (if needed).
- Any other exceptions to the above policies as approved through consultation with the Director.
Consultation and Referral Services
Faculty, staff, and other concerned persons often call Student Counseling Services when faced with students displaying a range of behaviors that may be a cause for concern, including:
- Worry, anxiety, expressions of sadness/hopelessness, or poor hygiene
- A pattern of withdrawal from participation or excessive absences
- Irritability and conflict with others
- Confused patterns of thinking or communicating
- Oral or written expressions of distress, self-harm and/or suicidal/homicidal ideation
Our therapists are happy to speak with you on the phone about your concerns and how to make the most appropriate referral for the student. We work closely with many departments on campus including Student Outreach and Support, Center for Student Progress and the Student Health Clinic and may refer to these or others groups/organizations on and off campus to best help a student.
Educational Programs
CRISIS INFORMATION
Crisis Text Line: Text "Start" to 741741 to get help now.
National Suicide Prevention Number 1-800-273-8255
Help Network of Northeast Ohio 1-800-427-3606
(330) 747-2696: 211
Help Network of Northeast Ohio has information on a Suicide Survivors Support Group.
Warning Signs of Suicide
If someone you know displays any of the following signs they could be at risk of suicide. Please contact a mental health practitioner or physician to intervene to assist that individual.
- Talking about suicide
- Drastic changes in behavior ,eating ,sleeping ,school, alcohol or drug use
- Loss
- Hopelessness, Depression
- Previous Attempts
- Impulsive Behavior
- Family History of suicide, violence, or chemical Abuse
- Giving away prized possessions
Call the Student Counseling Center at 330-941-3737 to arrange training for your student group.
After Hours Services
Feeling down? Anxious? Concerned about yourself? Are you a faculty/staff/parent and are concerned about a student right now? Need to talk to a mental health professional, but YSU Student Counseling Services is closed?
YSU Student Counseling Services has an after-hours phone line. You can call and speak with a mental health professional who can assist with immediate support, crisis intervention and stabilization. (This is not for scheduling appointments or leaving messages)
When student counseling services is closed, whether it is 7 pm or 3 am, holidays or weekends, there is always someone to talk to.
To access, call the YSU Student Counseling Services at 330-941-3737 and after the brief message, press “1” to be connected to a mental health professional. This is available to all currently registered YSU students or anyone concerned about a currently registered student.
After Hours Emergency Response
(If you are or another are in imminent danger)
- If you are on campus, please call the YSU Police at (330) 941-3527.
- If you are not on campus, you may call your local police.
- You may also go to your local emergency room
Download the Virtual Hope Box App for Apple & Android Devices

More Self-Help Smartphone Apps
- Stop, Breathe & Think (iPhone and Android)
- Calm (iPhone and Android)
- Sanvello (iPhone and Android)
- Mindfulness Daily (iPhone only)