University Counseling Services
YOU@CSUN
Our Commitment to Anti-Racism
Members of the University Counseling Services (UCS) team stand in solidarity in upholding the dignity, respect, and equality of all members of our campus community and standing against racism, systemic oppression, injustice and hate.
UCS mental health professionals and staff are deeply saddened by continued acts of violence towards Black, Brown, and Queer individuals. We want to acknowledge the profound impact these collective traumas have on the psyche of our campus and the soul of our country. Today, we are particularly focused on the most recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and Rayshard Brooks. Though harmful for all, we recognize that racist oppression is particularly painful for members of the African-American and Black community. We deplore the pandemic of racism.
Acts of violence against specific communities leave scars. We know the psychological consequences of trauma such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, grief, and substance abuse, and want to remind students that we are here for you. We are committed to providing affirming, supporting, and safe healing spaces for you. You can speak to a counselor during business hours by calling (818) 677-2366, option 1 or speak to a crisis counselor. During business hours, contact a crisis by calling (818) 677-2366, option. Outside of business hours, speak to a crisis counselor by calling (818) 677-2366, option 3. Additional resources are available in our Self-Help Library under Racial Justice and Ally Resources.
As we move forward, let us remember that “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” – Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Please visit our Videos page to view the video recording of this Solidarity Statement made by our UCS team.
Update on UCS Services: 07/06/2021
Mental Health Services and Resources For Students During COVID-19
University Counseling Services (UCS) is committed to supporting student mental health, well-being, and academic success, during this challenging time.
University Counseling Services (UCS) is open during regular business hours
(Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
We are continuing to provide all services through telemental health
(phone and HIPAA-compliant Zoom video).
Please contact us at (818) 677-2366, option 1 to schedule an appointment
or if you need a private space to utilize for your telemental health appointment.
We have a number of private spaces available that students can reserve for that purpose in our office.
24/7 crisis/urgent care services are always available by phone:
During regular business hours, please call (818) 677-2366, option 1.
Outside of business hours, including holidays, please call (818) 677-2366, option 3.
Support for our AAPI Community
Members of the University Counseling Services (UCS) team stand in firm solidarity with our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Though too often suffering in silence, AAPI individuals have been historically oppressed. Over this past year, there has been a steep escalation in hate-inspired rhetoric directed towards members of the AAPI communities. AAPI persons have been cruelly mocked and actually blamed for the world-wide pandemic. This shameful scapegoating has led to sharp increases in both verbal and physical attacks on members of the AAPI communities. The UCS team abhors the vile rhetoric and assaults. We recognize the intrinsic value of the AAPI communities at CSUN and throughout the United States.
Indeed, we honor the dignity and worth of all our beautifully, diverse communities. We fervently support equality, non-discrimination, accessibility, and inclusion. We stand against systemic oppression, injustice and hate directed towards communities based on their race/ethnicity, immigration status, sexual/affectional orientation, age, gender/gender identity, religion, abilities, or national origin.
Resources Specific to the AAPI Community
In addition to our regular services, we want to highlight additional mental health and wellness resources to support AAPI students:
Asian American Psychological Association
Asian Mental Health Collective
Asian Mental Health Collective APISAA Therapist Directory
Asians Do Therapy: Reducing Stigma and Increasing Accessibility
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center reported 3,795 cases of Anti-Asian incidents since the beginning of the pandemic.
Free Webinars
Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment on various dates and times – Zoom webinar presented by Hollaback! and Asian Americans Advancing Justice, AAJC
Welcome
Welcome Matadors! University Counseling Services (UCS) is a mental health center for students enrolled at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). UCS supports the missions of the University and the Division of Student Affairs by enhancing student well-being and academic success through the provision of a range of high-quality mental health services including initial evaluations, short-term counseling and psychotherapy, Wellness Workshops, group treatment, psychiatric services, crisis/urgent care services, and case management.
UCS is open during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm), providing all of our mental health services virtually via telemental health. 24/7 crisis/urgent care services are always available by phone. During regular business hours call (818) 677-2366, option 1 to speak with a crisis counselor. Outside of business hours, speak to a crisis counselor by calling (818) 677-2366, option 3. Please visit our About Us page for more information about our center, personnel, and resources available.
UCS services are free, confidential, and accessible, including a psychologist who is able to provide mental health services in American Sign Language (ASL). We have a remarkable and diverse team of mental health professionals, peer education staff, and administrative support staff who are all committed to serving students. We are committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment that is affirming of individual and cultural diversity, and promotes inclusion.
In addition to clinical services, UCS also makes contributions to the campus community through the provision of psychoeducational programs and workshops as well as facilitation of healing spaces. These efforts are intended to highlight mental health and wellness practices, eliminate the stigma towards mental health, increase knowledge and helping skills amongst our campus community members, and contribute to the creation of a community of care on our campus.
Are you a student who is looking to get more involved on campus and raise awareness on current issues that affect our society? UCS has four dedicated student peer education programs (The BLUES Project, JADE, Project D.A.T.E., and Men CARE) that aim to increase awareness and knowledge about significant mental health and wellness issues that impact students (e.g., depression, suicide, sexual assault and rape, gender-based violence, disordered eating, eating disorders and body image), and promote help-seeking behavior, as well as bystander intervention, through the provision of extensive psychoeducation and annual campus wellness events. Joining one of our peer education programs can be a wonderful experience that will allow you to connect with fellow students and the CSUN community.
New Resource
New Drop-In Virtual Workshop for Students! Join us for Mindfulness Break, Wednesdays, 12:00 to 12:30pm
Feeling stressed? We will "gather" via Zoom to take a collective moment to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with our deepest intentions. Each session will include a 10-20 minute long meditation. We will be trying a different mindfulness exercise each week to help us ground and bring a sense of calm to the day. Sample exercises include various visualizations, deep breathing and body awareness practices. No experience necessary.
For a most enjoyable experience:
- Find a comfortable, quiet space. If possible, set aside any devices and/or turn off notifications so you can be as present as possible. All students audio and video will be muted throughout the meditation to ensure privacy.
- Join us on Zoom!
- Enjoy class! Set aside your worries, preoccupations, and expectations, take a few deep breaths, and allow this time to be one of nurturing and kind awareness. Your presence is welcome here, and you are enough.
The resource "Coping with Ongoing Traumatic Events" has been prepared to assist members of the campus community who are experiencing or supporting others who are experiencing reactions to traumatic events such as local mass shootings, violence and threats of violence on campus, hate speech/graffiti, wildfires and traumatic events across the nation. We hope you will find this resource helpful.
