Counseling
Counseling services are available to Ohio University Zanesville students. The goal of counseling services on campus is to assist individuals to be successful in managing stressors or mental health difficulties with the goal of reaching their personal and academic goals. Students are required to be enrolled to participate in counseling.
Students who are interested in making a counseling appointment may do so by using Bookings, which will allow students to see what openings are available at a time that works for their personal schedule. I am currently conducting appointments on campus and virtually. Students who have a preferred method are encouraged to contact me directly (email or phone: hmerry@zanestate.edu or 740-588-1293) and we will set up a time together.
A student who needs immediate attention should go to the nearest emergency room or dial 911.
Important Phone Numbers
- Ohio University: 24/7 Emergency Counselor Hotline or 740-593-1616
- Suicide Prevention: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255
- Allwell Behavioral Health Services - Guernsey County: 740.439.4428
2500 John Glenn Highway, Cambridge, Ohio - Allwell Behavioral Health Services - Muskingum County: 740.454.9766
2845 Bell Street, Zanesville, Ohio | Hearing Impaired - TDD 740.455.4142 or 800.432.4142 - Muskingum Behavioral Health offers Tele-counseling: 740-454-1266
- Crisis Line: 800.344.5818 or 740.453.5818 (available 24/7)
- Crisis Textline: 741741, like the Suicide Prevention Hotline, is also a 24/7 resource that gives students the ability to text instead of talk.
Muskingum Counseling Center: 740.453.9766
(for information about community mental health resources during normal business hours)
WellTrack
A self-guided interactive online therapy program. WellTrack is free and confidential to Ohio University students. Find more information on WellTrack or access WellTrack.
TimelyCare
Ohio University is now partnered with TimelyCare(opens in a new window) to deliver a new virtual health and well-being platform for eligible students. Through either a mobile app or your desktop, TimelyCare provides 24/7 access to virtual care from anywhere in the United States at no cost.
Whether you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed, you can talk to a licensed provider to get the care you need via phone or secure video visits. Check out the FAQ's below to learn more.
How can I access TimelyCare?
Visit ohio.edu/counseling/regional-online(opens in a new window) or download the TimelyCare app from your app store and register with your school email address. You can then start visits from any web-enabled device- smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop- anywhere in the United States.
Who can use TimelyCare?
Any enrolled student in an online program or enrolled student through one of our regional campuses is eligible to use TimelyCare. That's you!
What services are available?
- TalkNow- 24/7, on demand emotional support.
- Scheduled Counseling- Select the day, time, and mental health provider or your choice. (6 visits per year)
- Health Coaching- Support for developing healthy behaviors.
- Self-Care Content- 24/7 access to self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.
How much does a visit cost?
TimelyCare services are available at no cost to eligible Ohio University students.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are Counseling Services Confidential? Information shared in counseling is regarded by law as privileged communication, and with rare exceptions it cannot be disclosed to others without your explicit permission. In other words, no one outside of Counseling Services, including faculty, parents, and administrators, has access to your records or what you discuss with your counselor. Nothing appears on your records elsewhere in the university, nor is information you disclose to a counselor shared with anyone unless you request and authorize it. In addition, what you talk about with your counselor will not be made a part of any of your record elsewhere in the University unless you request or authorize it.
All services are confidential with the rare exception of situations where a person poses an immediate and serious risk to the well-being of himself or herself or to others. Also, Ohio state law requires that therapists report suspected cases of child or elder abuse, or the abuse of a disabled person. There may also be situations in which Counseling Services are required to release records in order to comply with a court order. If you have concerns or questions about confidentiality or any other matter, please bring them up with your counselor. Counseling Services is compliant with federal HIPAA regulations. All individuals will be provided with a copy of our HIPAA-compliant privacy policy.
What if I just want some information about a certain issue? Student Services and Counseling Services will have informational pamphlets available for students or staff/faculty to simply pick up from the office. Topics covered by these pamphlets include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, concerns about a friend, suicide, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, stress management, and more. If you want to ask a question about a particular issue, you are welcome to do that too.
What if I might need more than brief treatment? If the things you are struggling with might be helped by longer-term counseling or some other help, the counselor will help you find a place in the community that can provide that service. Deciding what type of treatment will be the best choice for you or someone else is often a decision that requires extensive knowledge of mental health and of the local clinics and doctors. Counseling Services can help you through that process so that you don't feel like you're doing it alone.