A mental health crisis is “any situation in which a person’s actions, feelings, and behaviors can lead to someone hurting themselves or others, and/or can put a person at risk of being unable to care for themselves or function in the community in a healthy manner.” If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, seek immediate help by contacting one of the following:
- Call 911
- Whitman Campus Security: 509-527-5777
- Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741
- Trevor Text Line for LGBTQIA+ students: Text “START” to 678678
- Crisis counseling for students of color: Text “STEVE” to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
- Walla Walla Crisis Response Services: 509-524-2999
- Trevor Project LGBTQIA+ Lifeline: 866-488-7386
We want to accommodate every student who would like to be seen by a counselor. Each student who comes through our center must first be seen for an intake.
If you are a student, you can begin the intake by initiating a request for counseling services:
By email: garcial@whitman.edu
By phone: 509-527-5195 (we are available M–F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
During your time with the counselor, they will speak with you about your concerns and what the next best step is for you to get your needs addressed. Depending on the nature of the issue, you could be referred to a community provider, set up for short-term counseling with one of the staff counselors, referred to a group, referred to a medical provider or referred to another campus office in Student Affairs.
The staff of the Counseling Center have a very high level of concern for and respect toward the confidentiality of individuals receiving services from this office. Staff collect, record and store client information only as needed for the effective and legal provision of services. All information is considered privileged and is maintained as confidential, consistent with ethical guidelines as well as the Washington State and federal statutes. The services of the Counseling Center are separate from any other student records kept at Whitman College. Information revealed in counseling sessions will remain confidential, except in cases of imminent danger to the client or another, when mandated by law, or when permission is granted to release information.
Client Records
Client records are secured in locked files and/or secured electronic files and accessed only by authorized personnel. Records are destroyed after seven years following the last client contact. Clients have the right to inspect and receive copies of their records; however, access to these records by the person receiving counseling may be restricted by the treating mental health professional during the course of treatment.
Release of Client Records
Individual client information may be released outside of the Counseling Center under the following circumstances:
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With Informed Consent: A client may request that specific information be sent to another entity. Prior to the disclosure, the client must sign a “Consent for Release of Information” form. Information unrelated to treatment will not be released.
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Without Informed Consent: Client information may be released without consent in the following situation:
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When there is clear and imminent danger of harm to oneself or another person. In these circumstances we are legally required to take action to protect life. Thus, our actions may include arranging for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization, notifying law enforcement authorities, and/or family/friends/individuals at risk.
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When a situation otherwise must be reported by law.
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Washington State law provides that the parents and/or spouse of a deceased patient has the right to access of their deceased child’s or spouse’s health care records.
Email Communication
Due to the non-secure nature of email, the confidentiality of such communication cannot be ensured. Please note that staff members may not check email with regularity or frequency, and may not access email outside of Counseling Center hours. Therefore, be advised that your communication with the Counseling Center or your counselor may not receive a timely response if a response is indicated. Please use discretion when sending information that is sensitive in nature. In the event of an emergency, do not rely on email—contact 911, Whitman Security at 509-527-5777 or the Welty Health Center at 509-527-5281. For the most timely and confidential communication, please call the Counseling Center directly during business hours at 509-527-5195.
Students that would like to be evaluated for new psychiatric prescriptions or for whom the counselor believes a psychiatric evaluation is indicated, can be seen by our Health Center physicians for anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications. Some students may need more comprehensive evaluations than the Health Center can provide and these students will be referred to competent providers off campus.
The Counseling Center’s staff often provide psycho-educational programs for different events or groups on campus. Programs can include workshops, classroom presentations, programs for residence life, student clubs or groups and staff and faculty training. Some past programs have included:
- Stress Management
- Body Image
- Communication
- Healthy Relationships
- Mindfulness
- Sexuality