For Parents and Loved Ones
As a parent or loved one of a University of Michigan student, we know you want the best for your student. You care about their well-being, and if you see them struggling, it can be concerning. You may want to help, but you're unsure how. Fortunately, there are many services available and ways to support them.
“Communicate with your children to find a way to check in on their mental health that doesn’t feel invasive to them. My mom and I have a system where she asks about my stress level, loneliness level and overall mood, and I can simply answer on a one to ten scale, which allows me to keep parts of my life to myself while still keeping her in the loop about how I’m feeling.”
— U-M student
Mental health services on campus
If a student you know needs mental health support, the University of Michigan has multiple resources available on campus. Often, these services are covered by student fees and are available to all enrolled U-M students. Available services include:
- University Health & Counseling, which includes:
- Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) provides access to counseling that supports the mental health of U-M students
- UHC Medical Services provides a wide range of medical care, including psychiatric care, from trained clinicians who specialize in college health
- Services for Students with Disabilities can provide disability-related accommodations for students struggling with all forms of disabilities, including mental illness.
Staying connected
When you’re concerned for your student, it’s understandable that you want to know exactly what is going on in their life. However, once they’re 18, students need to provide legal consent for providers to share information.
Follow up with your child if you continue to have concerns about their well-being, while respecting their privacy and confidentiality. A simple “check-in” (e.g., “how’s it going, did you have any appointments this week, how is your stress level?") can be a very supportive way to keep up with them and make them feel cared for.
Discuss your involvement in your student's health care with them. Encourage them to list you as an emergency contact so you can be notified when needed.
Insurance and paying for mental health services
Each semester, tuition includes a student health fee. Services paid by student health fees are only for currently enrolled students. Student fees cover all services at CAPS and most services at UHC.
U-M offers health plans and information on other ways to pay for health services. Staying on a parent's or caregiver's health insurance while in school is helpful. Health insurance can cover long-term counseling, medication, emergency room visits or hospitalizations. If you live outside of the state, check if their insurance will cover services in Michigan.
Understanding mental health diagnoses
Educating yourself on mental health issues is another way of showing support. Understanding what your student may be experiencing can help you see things from their perspective. We have a variety of educational resources available to help you learn more about mental illness:
- The U-M Parents website can help you identify the resources available to you.
- Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Wellness (NAMI) and The JED Foundation also offer resources to help you better understand mental health challenges and find ways to show support.
- Students can learn more at our Wellness Groups. Other opportunities are on Happening@Michigan or Maize Pages.