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Mental Health

Widener's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is committed to providing culturally responsive mental health services to all students, fostering a caring community that prioritizes student well-being through confidential support, walk-in hours, appointments, and various resources.

  1. My Wellbeing
  2. Mental Health

At Widener's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), we are committed to providing all Widener students with culturally responsive mental health and wellness services.

We encourage any student who is struggling to connect with our office through walk-in hours or by clicking “Schedule an Appointment at CAPS” below.

As part of the Widener campus community, we strive to create nurturing environments where students like you can find support. CAPS provides confidential mental health services to assist you in overcoming challenges, connecting with fellow community members, and fostering resilience. Through counseling sessions, outreach, and programming aimed at offering individualized support and helping you acquire new skills, CAPS is dedicated to providing a compassionate listening ear and guiding you on a journey to rediscover your inner strength.

You have the power to uplift yourself and others in our community. Seek support when you need it - and know that our Widener community cares about each student's health and wellbeing.

Jump Ahead: 

CAPS Overview

Widener’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free, short-term counseling to help students manage stress, navigate life changes, and develop coping skills. Services include:

  • Individual therapy 
  • Daily walk-in hours 
  • Crisis intervention  
  • Workshops and mental health trainings 
  • Consultation to faculty, staff, families, and outside care providers 
  • 24/7 access to virtual mental health support through the TELUS Health Student Support app

If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment at CAPS, we request you provide at least 24 hours’ notice of the cancellation. Please call our office (610-499-1261) or email your clinician to cancel. Walk-in hours do not require an appointment.  

All current, full-time undergraduate and graduate students at Widener University are eligible for services at CAPS, with some exceptions. You can confirm your eligibility for services by calling our office at (610) 499-1261. CAPS services are free and confidential.  

Widener employees can access services from the Employee Assistance Plan through Human Resources.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides short-term, developmentally appropriate counseling services to Widener students who are enrolled full time. Treatment is individually tailored to promote the health and well-being of the whole student to foster a sense of belonging and enhance academic success.  

CAPS services are not an appropriate substitute for specialized or intensive mental healthcare. Students whose presenting concerns require long-term treatment or students who would prefer long-term therapy can request to meet with a CAPS staff member for assistance in finding a referral to a mental health care provider in the community. Some common reasons for an outside referral include, but are not limited to:

  • History of psychiatric hospitalizations 
  • The need for frequent crisis management 
  • Acute symptoms which require intensive treatment or a higher level of care 
  • A desire to be seen more than once per week
  • Issues which require specialized interventions not offered by CAPS staff (such as substance use disorders or eating disorders) 
     

If you are unsure whether or not the services at CAPS are the best fit for your needs, our staff will be happy to meet with you to discuss your individual situation.

Please note:

  • CAPS staff do not mandate psychological evaluations or treatment, unless required in an emergency (i.e., danger to self or others).
  • CAPS staff do not offer assessment, evaluation, or treatment to clients or their family members solely to satisfy or avoid legal sanctions or purposes or for the reason of receiving benefits from social service agencies. 
  • CAPS staff do not provide evaluations for the request of a support or service animal. For more information about this accommodation, please visit Widener’s Student Accessibility Services. 

As a parent or loved one, there may be times when you become concerned for your child's well-being. You are welcome to call and ask to consult with a member of our professional team. Due to the limits of confidentiality and professional ethics, we may not be able to confirm if your student is a client, but we can certainly listen and, if necessary, take appropriate steps to address your concerns.

Schedule an Appointment at CAPS

Complete the form and a CAPS team member will respond within 1-2 business days. We recommend using a desktop browser to complete the form. If you receive an error message, please call CAPS at 610-499-1261.

NOT FOR USE DURING EMERGENCY

If you need help on campus, please call Campus Safety 610-499-4200. In case of emergency, please dial 911 or call 988 for immediate access to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Request an Appointment Meet the CAPS Team
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Visit Us at 522 East 14th St for In-Person Walk-In Hours

CAPS offers convenient and accessible one-on-one meetings with our staff members to support your well-being. These brief, approximately 20-minute sessions require no prior appointment, providing you with the flexibility to engage with us when it suits your schedule.

Meet us every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, or on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. 

 

A promotional graphic for TELUS Health.

24/7 Virtual Health Support

The TELUS Health Student Support app offers free, confidential virtual counseling available 24/7 for Chester campus students. It provides immediate mental health and well-being support through real-time chat, phone, or video sessions with professional counselors, including after-hours crisis support. Counseling is offered in multiple languages, and users can also complete anonymous health assessments and access a variety of health and well-being content. 

Real-time chat support 24/7. Connect with a professional counselor at your convenience by phone or video.

After-hours crisis support for urgent situations. Get help from a counselor whenever you need it, day or night.

Short term support from a dedicated counselor. Connect with the same counselor over multiple sessions via phone or video.

Support in your language. Counseling sessions and app content are available in Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, French and English. Additional language options may be requested by appointment, depending on availability.

Health assessments. Complete an anonymous assessment to get feedback about your emotional health.

Browse health & well-being content. Access articles, podcasts, and videos addressing a variety of well-being topics.

Access virtual fitness sessions. Sign up for free virtual fitness sessions available through LIFT.

  • Download the Student Support app from App Store or Google Play, or call 1-866-743-7732 (call 855-649-8641 if you're calling from Canada, and +1-678-799-7451 for a region that is not listed).
  • Open the app and go through the initial prompts.
  • Complete your student profile and select Widener University as your university. 
  • Review the terms of use, consent, and if you agree, check the circle to proceed.

The TELUS Health Student Support app is available to full time undergraduate and graduate students in seated classes on Widener's Chester campus.

While the Student Support app is only available for eligible Chester campus students, faculty and staff are encouraged to share the TELUS Health resource with students. 

Faculty and staff can reference and share this webpage to help students connect with TELUS Health counselors and gain access to its variety of digital health and well-being content. 

Widener Suicide Prevention Plan & Strategies

At Widener, we are committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and connected campus community. Our suicide prevention plan outlines clear goals, strategies, and services designed to reduce risk, support those in distress, and build awareness across campus.

 

Suicide Warning Signs

  • Talking about dying or suicide
  • Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
  • Behavioral and mood changes
  • Social withdrawal and isolation
  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits
  • Increased use of substances or risky behaviors
  • Giving away possessions or getting affairs in order
  • Seeking access to lethal means

Major Risk Factors

  • Depression or other mental health disorders
  • Previous suicide attempt
  • Family history of suicide
  • Major life loss or crisis (e.g., job, relationship, health)
  • Bullying or trauma

If you or someone you know needs help, these campus and national resources are here to support you. 

  • National Suicide Hotline: Call 1-800-273-8255
  • Call 911 (for immediate emergencies)
  • Crisis Text Line (crisistextline.org): Text HOME to 741741 at any time, for any type of crisis. If you’re a person of color who is experiencing a crisis, you can also text STEVE to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor of color. Students in the LGBTQ community can access crisis resources here or text START to 678-678.
  • The Trevor Lifeline: Call 866.488.7386 (crisis support for LGBTQ youth)
  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
  • Counseling and Psychological Services: Call 610-499-1261
  • Campus Emergency Services: Call 610-499-4200
  • Reach Out and Report Concerns to the Care Team
  • Title IX

Goal: Reduce suicidal ideation, attempts, and deaths among Widener students through a coordinated, inclusive, and evidence-based approach.

I. Strategic Goals

  • Increase awareness of suicide risk factors and warning signs.
  • Enhance access to mental health services.
  • Promote a connected and stigma-free campus culture.
  • Equip students, faculty, and staff with skills to intervene and refer.
  • Use data to evaluate impact and identify at-risk populations.

II. Prevention Strategies

A. Education & Awareness Campaigns

  • Launch Suicide Prevention Month campaign each September (e.g., tabling, events, social media). 
  • Integrate mental health awareness into orientation and student leader training. 
  • Distribute materials highlighting: 
    • Warning signs 
    • What to say and do 
    • Crisis numbers and app links (e.g., 988, TELUS Health)

B. Campus-Wide Training

  • Offer QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and mental health advocacy training.

C. Peer Support Programming

  • Develop Mental Health Ambassadors and Student Peer Educators under the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant.
  • Host events encouraging peer connection, self-care, and help-seeking behaviors.

D. Communication on Campus

  • Send crisis hotline and intervention service information to all students by email or mail at least twice per calendar year.

III. Key Partners

In the event of a suicide, a coordinated response is carried out with care and compassion, involving collaboration among various offices and departments across the university to ensure the campus community is supported.

Should a campus crisis event occur, including a death by suicide of a member of the Widener University community, the Dean of Students Office will work in conjunction with various campus departments to offer available resources to support students, and the entire campus community, in the aftermath of the crisis and will share relevant and appropriate information to the extent possible. 

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If you notice something amiss, speaking to a CARE Team member or submitting a report can be a crucial step in assisting a student's mental well-being, ensuring a sensitive and private approach to handling the information.

Report It

Get in Touch

Meet the Counseling & Psychological Services Team