HelpNet Student Assistance Program

Tel: 1-800-435-7638

Southwestern provides students with the counseling services of HelpNet, a private consulting firm that can refer students to counseling services and community resources for problems involving relationships, academic stress, family, financial and legal circumstances, substance abuse and other concerns. Students are entitled to two free counseling sessions each year (July 1 through June 30).

If you or a member of your family wants help with a personal problem, call the HelpNet Student Assistance Program toll-free hotline (1-800-435-7638). It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An Intake Specialist is available to talk to you and obtain information about your needs. She/he will explain your program benefits, and then help you set up an appointment to see a licensed therapist near your home, or to obtain information about a community resource to help you with your situation. Following your counseling appointment, HelpNet will call you to be sure you are satisfied with the services and that your needs are being met.

All the counselors in HelpNet's network have been carefully screened for professional licensing and credentials. You can be assured that they are competent to give you the help you need. You can set up an appointment to visit them in their private offices near your home or place of work at times when it is convenient for you. Each student family unit is entitled to two free counseling sessions each program year (July 1 through June 30).

If you call the toll-free hotline on your own, your name and identity are kept confidential and are not revealed to others. The University receives statistical reports from HelpNet, but the reports do not list names or provide information which can lead to the identification of individuals. The only times instructors or staff persons know the name of clients are few and far between, i.e. when a student himself/herself tells an instructor or staff person about using services; when someone on staff informally refers the student to the program; or when revelation is required by law (as in incidents of child abuse or threats of violence).

Informational brochures are available in the Student Services Office. Further information is also available from the toll-free hotline 1-800-HELPNET (1-800-435-7638).