For Parents
The transition into college is exciting for parents and students alike. It also marks unique changes in relationships, independence, and proximity. Parents and family members remain important, key influences in the lives of students and may often be the first to recognize when their student is struggling.
At times, some feel uncertain about how to best support a distressed student. Encouraging and helping your student to seek assistance with the appropriate campus and community resources is important. For questions about mental health, clinicians at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) are available for consultation.
CAPS is a readily accessible point of contact for parents, faculty, staff, and students who are concerned about a distressed student. Counseling faculty will consult about a student, provide referrals to campus departments, develop action plans, and follow up with treatment when it is appropriate.
Be aware that CAPS faculty adhere strictly to ethical practices of confidentiality. Counselors are available for consultation and appointments between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:15 pm Monday through Friday (depending on counselor availability).
BYU also provides after-hours phone consultations for faculty, staff, and students who may be concerned about a distressed student during weekends, evenings, or holidays. For consultation, please call 801.422.3035 and follow the recorded instructions.
If there is a potential for danger to self/others or immediate attention is needed, call Campus Police (911 or 801.422.2222).
This website provides information that may help in recognizing and responding to students in distress and making appropriate referrals. For comments or other questions, please contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 801.422.3035.
Staying Connected and Being a Support
The college experience is not only a time of transition and development for students but also for those who are supporting them from near and far. Sending your loved ones off to college can be emotionally difficult as roles change and as time and distance enter into the relationship equation.
There are some great resources available for parents and loved ones to review about how you can be most helpful to students during their time at college. Please check http://www.transitionyear.org/ or the University of Florida's Counseling and Wellness Center website for tips about how to maintain good support while allowing for space for your loved one's needed development.
How does my student sign up for counseling?
Counseling and Psychological Services has many services that have been shown to help university students overcome the obstacles in their lives. These include individual counseling, group counseling, couples counseling, and stress management/biofeedback. To learn more about these services please visit the CAPS website.
Eligible students complete online paperwork, which takes about 30 minutes. After completing the paperwork, the student can make an appointment by calling 801-422-3035 to speak with a CAPS receptionist or in person in our office located in WSC 1500.
In cases of emergency, students can call CAPS Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday or walkâin between 8 am and 4 pm to see a counselor. A counselor will be available for a consultation session and will respond to urgent needs and refer appropriately for follow-up services. For after-hours emergencies, please call 801-422-3035 and follow the recorded instructions.
Stress Management and Biofeedback training helps students develop knowledge and skills to better manage the stress inherent in life as a university student. Students find these services helpful in learning to manage a number of emotional struggles such as anxiety and depression and chronic pain. Visit the Biofeedback Services website for education about stress and resources for managing and releasing stress and for information about biofeedback appointments and open hours.
Campus Resources
BYU offers numerous resources to assist students in all areas of their development. For an extensive list of resources, check out the Health and Wellness links HERE.