The Student Center for Health & Counseling promotes inclusive healthcare to our diverse student population for members of all backgrounds and identities via a variety of medical, mental health, case management and health promotion services.
Our vision is to provide accessible and informed care focusing on college student development.

We’re Here To Help

  • As an enrolled BSU/NTC student, you are eligible for counseling services with your paid Student Health Services fee.
  • BSU Counseling Staff includes licensed professional clinical counselors who encourage preventative services for any mental health or adjustment concerns.
  • Students can attend workshops any time, no appointment necessary or previous appointment.
  • Students can access Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) anytime, please see below.

New to Mental Health Counseling

The first step to determining if the individual counseling would be helpful is to explore the stepped care model and see what options might be right for you. You can also schedule an “Initial Consultation/Intake appointment” using the on-line portal or by calling the Student Center for Health and Counseling at (218) 755-2053.

  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled first appointment to complete intake paperwork at the office.
  • Students can attend workshops any time, no appointment necessary or previous appointment.
  • Students can access Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) anytime, please see below.

Counseling Services

Our Licensed Mental Health Professionals provide therapeutic interventions using a short-term model. Our staff having training in trauma informed interventions, and specialize in adjustment to college. Short-term Interventions may include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Skills. Meet our counseling staff and read about their areas of interest, training and licensure here.

TAO — A Self-Guided 24/7 Mental Health Resource

College can be stressful — whether you’re catching up on coursework, worried about what you’re going to do after you graduate or wondering how to talk to your roommate about the dishes (again). Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) can help you learn new skills, develop coping strategies and deal with mental health struggles.

It’s easy to use, effective, interactive — and best of all, completely free! Students with a BSU email have immediate access to login.

How to Register for TAO

  1. Navigate to the TAO website
  2. Enter First Name, Last Name and your school email address
  3. Leave the “Enrollment Key” field blank
  4. Click sign me up
  5. Check your email. You will be sent a Welcome to TAO email with a confirmation link which you must click on to sign in.

FAQ's

  • Speak to the individual in private, and let them know you are interested in them and willing to offer support. (Do not feel like you have to solve the problem, often just listening is helpful.)
  • Present your concerns to the individual in a direct and specific manner, as observations. Ask them to tell you more about what you have been observing or what might be going on.
  • Refer them to the counseling center. If the student feels uncomfortable offer them some reassurance that many students face challenges and counseling often helps people cope with their challenges in a healthy way that also supports them achieving their academic goals.
  • If a student is in crisis (threat to harm self or others) call 911 or mobile crisis 800-422-0045 or the new National Suicide Hotline number 988; campus security may also provide support at (218) 755-3888
  • Use this flowchart to guide your response to helping others.

BSU has several opportunities to be trained in Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR). Please take advantage of these (often free) trainings. They can literally save lives.

If you are unsure what to do and need immediate assistance, call Bemidji Mobile Crisis (800) 422-0045 or National Crisis Line at 988. MN Warmline is a non-crisis resource available 9 am – 9 pm, (651) 288 0400, or text “Support” to 85511. Another resource is Text4Life text “MN” to 741-741

Are you considering suicide or know someone who might be? You are not alone. Help is available, 24/7.