How to support your student
The transition to college brings new experiences, new pressures, and a new pace. Your student may share more, less, or differently than they did at home. A few practical things tend to help most.
Listen first
Often your student does not need a solution, they need to be heard. Let them tell you what is going on before offering advice or fixes.
Stay connected
Regular check-ins (calls, texts, video chats) help your student feel grounded. A predictable rhythm matters more than long conversations.
Ask, do not assume
Show curiosity about classes, friendships, and how they are adjusting. Open questions invite more than yes-or-no answers.
Expect change
Your student is learning who they are. New values, new interests, and shifting moods are part of the process, not a sign something is wrong.
When and how to contact CCPH
Quick guide: when to do what
Most of the time, the best path is to encourage your student to reach out to CCPH themselves. They can call (413) 545-2337, walk in during business hours, or schedule through the Patient Portal (umass.medicatconnect.com).
There are also times when reaching out yourself makes sense. The right number depends on what is going on.
If your student is in immediate danger
- Call 911 or UMass Police at (413) 545-3111 right away.
- Then call CCPH Crisis Line (413) 545-HELP (4357), available 24/7.
If you are worried but it is not an emergency
You can call CCPH at (413) 545-2337, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to speak with a staff member about your concerns. We can listen, help you think through next steps, and share general guidance about how to talk with your student or connect them to support.
Because of privacy laws, we cannot tell you whether your student is or is not a client at CCPH. We can still hear what you share with us, and you can give us information you want us to know.
For non-mental-health concerns
Academic concerns Your student can speak with their professor or academic dean for accommodations or course issues. | |
Dean of Students For broader student welfare concerns, contact the Dean of Students Office, (413) 545-2684. |
What we can and cannot share
Your student's privacy is the foundation of the care we provide. Federal law (HIPAA) and Massachusetts state law protect what your student shares with a clinician at CCPH. This is true for students of every age, including students under 18.
What this means in practice
- We cannot confirm or deny whether your student is, or has been, a client at CCPH without their written permission.
- We cannot share notes, treatment plans, diagnoses, or appointment dates without your student's written consent.
- Your student can sign a release at any time that lets us speak with you about specific topics. The release names who we can speak with and what we can discuss.
What we can always do
- Listen. You can always call us to share concerns or context, even if we cannot tell you anything back. What you tell us can be a meaningful part of our care, with your student's consent.
- Offer general information. We can talk with you about how CCPH works, what services we offer, and how to encourage your student to reach out.
- Act in a true emergency. If we believe your student is in imminent danger to themselves or others, we can take steps to keep them safe, which may include contacting emergency contacts.
Cost, insurance, and off-campus care
Most CCPH services are available at no out-of-pocket cost to students enrolled at UMass Amherst. There are no co-pays for therapy, Let's Talk consultations, crisis services, or psychiatric appointments at CCPH.
What is covered at CCPH
- Individual therapy sessions
- Let's Talk drop-in consultations
- Therapy groups and workshops
- Crisis services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Psychiatric appointments (billed to insurance, no co-pay)
- Case management and referral support
Our model of care
There is no formal session limit at CCPH. The length and pace of care is determined collaboratively with your clinician. Our model is designed for brief, intermittent support rather than ongoing weekly therapy. If long-term or more frequent care is the right fit for your student, we will work with them to find a community provider who can offer that.
When off-campus care is the right fit
Some students benefit from longer-term, weekly, or specialized care that is beyond what CCPH is designed to provide. In those situations, we help your student find a community provider who accepts their insurance.
For more information, see our Off-Campus Mental Health resource section or call us at (413) 545-2337 to ask about referrals.
Transition of Care Guide
If your student is already in treatment with an outside therapist, psychiatrist, or care team, planning ahead matters. Our Transition of Care Guide walks you through what to think about, who to talk to, and when to start, so your student can begin the year with their support already in place.
The CCPH model is designed for brief, intermittent support, not for managing chronic conditions or providing intensive ongoing care. If your student needs that level of care, we can help connect them with a community provider who can offer it.
Download the Transition of Care Guide (PDF)
Questions? Call us at (413) 545-2337 or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.