FAQ

Currently we offer mental health consultations, brief individual therapy, drop-in hours, outreach presentations to clubs and classes, faculty consultations and trainings, and assistance with referrals.

Soon we will be expanding to include group therapy and wellness workshops to our services.

All our services are free.

Therapy services are confidential and not part of your student record. If you wish to have your progress discussed with anyone else, you will be asked to fill out a release of information form first.

Any student enrolled in the College of Engineering at the main campus, the Cascades campus, or as an e-campus student.

Most likely, yes. However, the CAPS office at OSU will also continue to see engineering students enrolled at the main campus. You may self-schedule with whichever office you want depending on your availability. If you are an e-campus student or at OSU Cascades, you will need to schedule with the CoE Wellness Coordinator.

The first step would be to schedule a consultation to discuss your treatment options. You can schedule with the CAPS office here. Or you can self-schedule with the CoE Wellness Coordinator, Shannon Frasca, here. You can also email Shannon at frasca.shannon@oregonstate.edu if you do not see a day/time that works for you. After the consultation you may be scheduled for an intake or placed on the waitlist depending on availability at the time.

Yes! We plan to recruit some student workers to help with tabling events, social media, classroom presentations, and resource development. Be on the lookout for more information soon!

Additionally, you can also provide your feedback on CoE or the Wellness Program. Your lived experiences and needs help us create a better program for everyone. Let us know if you have any ideas on how to improve the services provided. You can email feedback to Shannon.frasca@oregonstate.edu.

No. mental illness can affect anyone of all ages, races, genders, and incomes.

Mental illness and their milder counterparts are common. About 20% of Americans suffer from a mental illness at any given time. The same percent of children in school also experience symptoms of diagnosable mental illness. It is less common, although not unheard of (about 3%) to see people affected by severe and ongoing mental illness.

Although the cause of mental illness is not entirely known, current psychologists believe in a variety of sources ranging from environment to genetics and a combination of both. This phenomenon, used in many areas of psychology, known as epigenetics, suggests that environmental factors can trigger hereditary features. It has been proven that mental illnesses are partially caused by a biological influence, or a chemical imbalance in the brain, and are by no means a chosen illness.

If someone you care about is suffering from a mental illness there are several things that you can do. Let them know you are available to listen, tell them that their feelings are valid, and that you care about them and their health. Check in on them to make sure they are okay and encourage them to seek out clinical treatment so they can receive a formal diagnosis.

Treatment options for mental illnesses include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two. You can request a consultation with our CoE wellness coordinator to learn more about treatment options available to you.

There are many resources on campus for students that are seeking help with their mental health. The CoE Wellness coordinator and CAPS have an abundance of resources for OSU students that can be accessed on our student resources page.

Therapy is by no means “one size fits all.” It is important to find a treatment provider that fits your needs. You should feel comfortable with your therapist, but this does not always happen after one appointment. Do not get discouraged if you don’t like the very first therapist you meet with. Finding a therapist is a process.

• It can be frustrating if you are not able to see a professional for your mental health concerns right away. Don’t get discouraged! There are many ways to improve your mental health even before seeing a health professional. * For urgent concerns, you can see the CAPS Counselor-on-Duty the same day (541-737-2131).
  • Take care of yourself by exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep.
  • Attend on of the wellness groups offered through the CAPS office (link)
  • Make an appointment with a wellness coach through Student Health Services.
  • View the resources or access a clinician through the Anytime Anywhere wellness app.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the assessment and treatment of mental illnesses. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training in the assessment and treatment of medical and/or mental illnesses. General practitioners (e.g., primary care providers) are medically trained professionals who can prescribe any form of medication (including psychiatric medication) but do not specialize in mental health treatment. If you are interested in learning more about medications for mental illness you can schedule a consultation with a practitioner at Student Health Services.

Yes, but each person’s treatment plan is different. Consult with your provider whether medication would be helpful for you. Therapy is a common form of mental health treatment that can be used with or without medication.

Students can experience mild to severe distress. Please refer a student when they exhibit behaviors that indicate they may need additional psychological support. It is helpful to remind them that services through CAPS or the wellness coordinator are free, confidential, and do not impact their student record. If it is an emergency and Shannon is unavailable, please call 541-737-2131 to consult with the Counselor-on-Duty or call campus public safety at (541) 737-7000 or dial 911.

Anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, and academic distress are the most common concerns of our students.

Currently we offer mental health consultations, brief individual therapy, drop-in hours, outreach presentations to clubs and classes, faculty consultations and trainings, and assistance with referrals.

Soon we will be expanding to include student group therapy and wellness workshops to our services.

Yes, Shannon is available for consultation with faculty and staff regarding students of concern. You can request a consultation appointment via email at Shannon.frasca@oregonstate.edu

Absolutely! Please give me at least 2 weeks’ notice of your preferred date/time. If I am unable to due to scheduling, then one of our mental health promotion student workers can help.

Simply email me with the proposed date (at least 2 weeks out) and what type of training you are interested in. Examples include How to recognize and respond to a student in need, Burnout vs. Anxiety vs. Stress, self-care essentials, Resources presentations, etc. I’m happy to develop new training or tailor existing ones to your audience.