Navigating Well-being: A Guide to UCF Counseling and Support Services
The University of Central Florida (UCF) recognizes the importance of student and employee well-being. To foster a healthy and supportive environment, UCF offers a comprehensive array of counseling and support services designed to address a wide range of needs. This guide provides an overview of the resources available to the UCF community, ensuring that individuals can easily access the help they need to thrive.
Comprehensive Psychological Services (CAPS)
UCF’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides comprehensive psychological services for students. CAPS offers crisis-intervention services, catering to students' mental health needs through appointments, walk-in consultations, and a 24/7 hotline. CAPS can be reached by calling 407-823-2811. Recognizing that mental health issues often emerge between the ages of 18 and 24, the age range of most of the student body at UCF, CAPS is a critical resource for early intervention and ongoing support.
Student Care Services
UCF Student Care Services serves as an umbrella for student-related care resources, offering a central point of access for students unsure of where to seek help. Students can visit UCFCares.com for resources and support with academics, finances, or personal well-being. Free services and information are available for academic distress, homelessness, mental health concerns, and financial challenges.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program, provided by Health Advocate, is a university-funded benefit that offers support and resources to address personal challenges and concerns that may affect personal well-being and/or work performance. It is confidential and free to all faculty and staff (excluding OPS student employees) as well as their eligible family members, including spouses, dependent children, parents, and parents-in-law.
UCF Victim Services
UCF Victim Services offers free, confidential advocacy and support to any student or employee impacted by crime, violence, or abuse. Specialists explain options, connect individuals to appropriate campus and community resources, and provide other assistance.
Read also: Counseling Services at UCLA
Counseling & Wellness Services (CWS) at the College of Medicine
Medical school presents unique challenges, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed. The curriculum's intensity, long hours of lectures and studying, and outside stressors can significantly impact students. The stress and adjustment of medical school can sometimes catalyze anxiety or depressive symptoms and/or feelings of psychological burnout.
Counseling & Wellness Services (CWS) at the UCF College of Medicine at Lake Nona is available to provide support. Many MD students seek counseling to cope with medical school's demands more effectively and strive for greater balance and wellness in their lives. Others seek counseling to deal with broader life and relationship issues. Counseling is available for medical students through Counseling & Wellness Services (CWS) at the Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona, located in the medical education building, Suite 416. At CWS, counseling services are free to all currently enrolled students.
All students will need to complete intake paperwork and informed consent before utilizing counseling.
Appointments with CWS are not available outside of business hours, during campus closure, or weekends.
Counseling services are available for currently enrolled College of Medicine M.D. students who are rotating at Bay Pines. If the concerns are outside of the scope of the brief therapy model, then the USF Counseling Center would make recommendations for appropriate services in the St. Petersburg/Bay Pines area. Counseling and health services are also accessible for students rotating through the St. Augustine Flagler Hospital location through Psychological Services of St. Augustine.
Read also: Navigating College Admissions
Psychiatric Services
Limited psychiatric care is available at the UCF Health Center and provided by Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. Depending on the severity and complexity of the diagnosis, psychiatrists may provide psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Referral to community psychiatrists can be facilitated on an as-needed basis. A referral is required prior to scheduling with a Health Center psychiatrist. This referral may be obtained from a previous medical or mental health provider, from one of our primary care providers, the UCF Counseling Center, or Drs. Andrew Kleiman and Brady Bradshaw.
Some conditions, including ADD/ADHD, require that comprehensive psychoeducational/neuropsychological testing be completed within the previous 3 years prior to the initiation of stimulant medication per UCF Student Health Services policy.*Please note unlike the counseling services provided at COM that are covered by your student fees, Psychiatric services through Student Health Services, DR. Bradshaw or Dr. Kleiman, are not and will incur standard visit fees.
Additional Resources and Initiatives
- Peer Advocates: Students can visit Peer Advocates daily around campus to discuss health and wellness topics, participate in games, and win prizes.
- HK2020: HK2020 is a comprehensive plan with goals and objectives to achieve a healthier and safer campus community, as well as specific action steps to reach those goals.
- After-Hours Support: Call 407-823-2811 and dial 5 to speak to an after-hours phone counselor. If you have an immediate emergency, call 911.
Maintaining a Safe and Supportive Community
Keeping UCF a safe place to learn, live, work, and play is a team effort that requires each of us to look out for ourselves and one another. By promoting awareness of available resources and encouraging help-seeking behavior, UCF aims to cultivate a campus culture where well-being is prioritized and supported.
Read also: UCF's CAPS Overview
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