UND Bolsters Student Mental Health with Free Counseling, 24/7 Crisis Line

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The University of North Dakota launched its expanded mental health program this semester, providing free individual counseling sessions, group therapy and 24/7 crisis support to all enrolled students. Services are delivered through the UND Department of Counseling Psychology & Community Services and Department of Psychology, where Ph.D. and master's students under licensed North Dakota faculty supervision handle cases ranging from anxiety management to family counseling. The Student Health Services also offers evaluation for conditions including depression, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia by licensed professionals.

Key resources include the Northern Plains Counseling Center at Columbia Hall, reachable at 701-777-3745, alongside tele-counseling, anger management training and play therapy options. For ADHD testing required for accommodations, students must submit records from age 15 or older, with local providers like Susan J. Thompson, PhD, at Midwest Neuropsychology in Grand Forks (701-780-9700) or the University Counseling Center at McCannel Hall (701-777-2127). The Wellness Center supplements with apps like Daylio for mood tracking, self-compassion meditations and My Anxiety Plan, a 10-hour cognitive-behavioral therapy program.

This expansion responds to North Dakota's mental health challenges, where rural isolation and long winters exacerbate student stress. UND's initiatives build on its robust training programs, including a 49-credit online Master's in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (7 semesters part-time) and a 60-66 credit M.A. in Counseling (2-3 years, on-campus or online). School of Medicine & Health Sciences faculty in Psychiatry & Behavioral Science provide additional oversight. As Grand Forks' flagship university serves over 13,000 students, these free services aim to reduce barriers and promote resilience in the Peace Garden State.