Confidential mental health support for students
Counseling Services at the Student Wellness Center offers short-term mental health counseling to currently enrolled students at no additional cost. Counselors can help you work through personal, emotional and academic challenges, develop coping strategies and connect with additional resources.
Counseling can help with anxiety, depression, academic stress, relationship conflicts, family challenges, grief, trauma-related concerns and other issues affecting your well-being.
Make an appointment
To schedule an appointment, call 360-546-9238, email van.counseling@wsu.edu or visit the Student Wellness Center during regular clinic hours.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The office is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
Same-day appointments
Same-day appointments for urgent concerns may be available, depending on availability. These appointments focus on immediate needs and next steps.
Cancellation policy
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, contact Counseling Services as soon as possible. Canceling an appointment less than 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment will be considered a late cancellation.
Late and/or repeated cancelations or no-shows may result in the inability to use counseling services on campus and a referral for off-campus resources.
Counseling Services
Limited same-day appointments may be available for students experiencing a crisis. Ongoing counseling is scheduled separately. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact Counseling Services as soon as possible.
Counseling Services Schedule
- Mon – Fri: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Crisis Intervention and 24-Hour Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing a psychological emergency—including thoughts of harming yourself or others or a situational crisis, immediate help is available. We offer same-day urgent counseling appointments (30 minutes) for students in crisis; please call or stop by the center during business hours to request one. During these appointments, a counselor will assess your immediate needs and help create a plan for next steps.
Emergency Resources
The following resources are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
| Resource | Contact Information |
| WellTrack HelpNow (WSU Vancouver) | 360-546-9046 |
| Southwest Washington Crisis Line | 800-626-8137 |
| National Suicide Prevention Hotline | 988 |
| Emergency Services | Call 911 or visit the nearest ER |
How to Help a Student in Distress
Early intervention is key to student success. You do not need to have all the answers to make a difference; your role is to notice, listen, and guide. Signs of distress may include a sudden decline in academic performance, withdrawal from social activities, or expressions of hopelessness.
When approaching a student, speak honestly and privately. Encourage them to utilize Counseling Services or the Student Care Network, which provides non-clinical case management and connects students with various campus resources. Faculty and staff may also request classroom workshops to integrate mental health wellness into the academic environment.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first session is a 45-minute consultation to discuss your history, goals, and needs. This initial meeting helps your counselor determine the best path forward, which often includes a short-term, goal-focused model of one to six sessions.
Preparation Checklist:
- Arrive 10 minutes early to the Student Wellness Center to complete check-in.
- Bring your CougarCard.
- Complete any required digital paperwork sent to your email.
- Think about specific concerns or questions you want to address.
All services are strictly confidential. Your information is not shared without written permission, except in rare legal situations involving immediate safety risks.