Remote Mental Health Support

Remote Mental Health Support Hero Image

Even though we can’t meet in person right now, we in the Counseling Center are still here offering support to all students, including telemental-health and referrals. Because of licensing restrictions, some offerings may be limited in some states. Like you, we’re working remotely–sitting at our home desks and kitchen tables, adjusting to this new reality. Consider this page our virtual office. Below, you’ll find the following:

  • Tips for finding mental health providers in your area.
  • Video blogs from your Counseling Center team, with words of encouragement, tips for managing anxiety, and more.
  • Resources for dealing with grief and loss during the pandemic.
  • Mental health apps, help lines, and crisis intervention resources.
  • Mental-health articles, podcasts, and guidance we’re finding helpful during the pandemic.
  • Guidance for maintaining nutrition (and eating disorder recovery) during the pandemic.
  • Links to academic support offered by Furman’s Academic Affairs Team.

We’re here to answer your questions about connecting with mental health providers in your area, including help with finding low-cost options where they exist. Please call (864-294-3031), or e-mail us with questions about local referrals. We encourage you to communicate with us through Outlook 365, adding encryption for security. With your written permission, we can work with your local provider to facilitate continuity of care, through written or verbal communication.

Two, helpful resources to explore on your own:

Psychology Today, which maintains a vast database of mental health providers nationwide, including photos, profiles and contact information written by the providers themselves.

  • Go to “Find a Therapist.” Then, enter your zip code. This will pull up a long list of therapists in your area.
  • Next, look on the left-hand side of the page, and click on your insurance provider. This will filter the list to include only therapists who accept your insurance. You can narrow the list even more by clicking on a specialty, such as “depression,” or “anxiety
  • Once you have picked a couple of people who look good, try calling them. It is completely okay to check out how they sound on the phone before you commit to an appointment.
  • After you choose a provider, let us know. With your permission (release form), we can send notes to the new provider. This will keep you from having to explain everything all over again.
  • Note: Furman’s Counseling Center is not able to vet the providers listed in this database.

Zencare, which is a vetted (meaning interviewed and screened) network of therapists in New York, Connecticut, the Boston Area, Rhode Island, Chicago, Seattle, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Here, you can search by therapist (including online therapy), therapy groups, and therapy types. Note: Furman’s Counseling Center is not able to vet the providers listed in this database.

Wellness Apps

  • WellTrack, for mood tracking, and management of anxiety and depression. Enter your Furman ID for full access.
  • Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) is providing free exercises for managing anxiety during this pandemic.
  • Sharpen College App, evidence-based resources to help college students cope with anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges during the pandemic.
  • Liberate, for mindfulness practice; developed by and for people of color.
  • Mindshift, for managing anxiety.
  • Headspace, for mindfulness and relaxation.
  • Calm, for meditation and relaxation.
  • Breathe2Relax, for breathing exercises to calm the stress response.
  • ReliefLink, for help with coping during crisis. Includes safety plan creation and location of nearby hospitals.
  • Recovery Record, an app to support eating disorder recovery.
  • Recovery Warriors, an app to support eating disorder recovery.

National Mental Health Helplines and Crisis Resources

  • The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call toll-free at 1.800.273.8255.
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or chat live via text.
  • Anyone can text with a trained counselor 24-7 at the Crisis Text Line, by texting “HOME” to 741741.
  • For teens and young adults, The Jed Foundation offers a specialized texting support service through the Crisis Text Line. Text “START” to 741741.
  • The Jed Foundation has launched a new project, Love is Louder, which promotes health and connection in a time of social distancing. This site has so many resources, including an Instagram, links to concerts, suggestions for staying active, etc.
  • For students of color, The Steve Fund offers a specialized texting support service through the Crisis Text Line. Text “STEVE” to 741741.
  • For students with eating-related concerns, the National Eating Disorders Association offers a specialized texting support service through the Crisis Text Line. Text “NEDA” to 741741. NEDA also offers a Helpline (800-931-2237), available Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET, and Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.
  • For LGBTQ students, the TREVOR Project offers a Lifeline (1-866-488-7386), a texting option (text “Start” to 678678), and a chat option (accessible by computer, at thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/). All options are available 24-7.
  • For free, online peer-to-peer support, visit 18 Percent.

Podcasts and Videos

Articles about Mental Health Coping During the Pandemic

Articles to Improve Family Dynamics During the Pandemic

National Guidance

The following resources were compiled with help from Nancy Neal, RD, LD, the nutritionist who works with Furman’s Counseling Center:

If you need: