Short Answer: No

Long Answer: "Some students worry that going to counseling or seeking help for their mental health might affect their grades in some way or change how university staff views them.

This is often a particular worry for international students or students from communities where there is a cultural stigma around reaching out in times of emotional stress.

Seeking advice and support from your university’s support team will not affect your grade or academic record in any way.

Counseling services follow strict confidentiality practices to ensure that students have a safe, private environment to share what they’re going through. Information will only ever be shared outside the room with your explicit consent, or if you are at risk of putting yourself or another person in danger. You do not have to tell your academic tutors that you are going to counseling.

In fact, if a counselor is ever caught discussing patient information they can face serious penalties such as losing their license or being sued. 

Confidentiality practices will be explained to you by whoever you end up seeking support from, and you can always ask for clarification to reassure yourself before you start counseling."

TheTimesHigherEducation.com

Short Answer: Client confidentiality is the requirement that therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and most other mental health professionals protect their client’s privacy by not revealing the contents of therapy.

Long Answer: Confidentiality includes not just the contents of therapy, but often the fact that a client is in therapy. For example, it is common that therapists will not acknowledge their clients if they run into them outside of therapy to protect client confidentiality. Other ways confidentiality is protected include:

• Not leaving revealing information on voicemail or text.
• Not acknowledging to outside parties that a client has an appointment.
• Not discussing the contents of therapy with a third party without the explicit permission of the client.

For licensed mental health professionals, confidentiality is protected by state laws and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Therapists who break confidentiality can get in trouble with state licensing boards. They can also be sued by their clients in some cases.

EXCEPTIONS TO CONFIDENTIALITY RULES

Licensed mental health professionals can break confidentiality in some circumstances. One of the most common scenarios is when a client is a threat to himself/herself or others, in which case a therapist must notify the person in danger or notify someone who can keep the client safe. In these circumstances, therapists often seek hospitalization for their clients.

It is important to note that a therapist will not automatically break confidentiality if a client reports thoughts about suicide. Typically, a client needs to state an intent to act on those thoughts and have a specific suicide plan before hospitalization is considered. An individual will not be hospitalized against their will for simply seeking help.

Source: Goodthearapy.org

Short Answer: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that requires the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge.

Long Answer: The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the HIPAA Privacy Rule to implement the requirements of HIPAA. The HIPAA Security Rule protects a subset of information covered by the Privacy Rule.

HIPAA Privacy Rule

The Privacy Rule standards address the use and disclosure of individuals’ health information (known as protected health information or PHI) by entities subject to the Privacy Rule. These individuals and organizations are called “covered entities.”

The Privacy Rule also contains standards for individuals’ rights to understand and control how their health information is used. A major goal of the Privacy Rule is to make sure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high-quality healthcare, and to protect the public’s health and well-being. The Privacy Rule permits important uses of information while protecting the privacy of people who seek care and healing.

Resource:MySSP: Provides online counseling and support from
licensed mental health professionals, and is available in more than 20 languages! 

24/7 real-time support

Texas Tech cares about your well-being, which is why we've partnered with Shmoody to bring you an app as dynamic as you with free premium access to TTU students!

To request the CODE for access please contact us or RISE

Apple Store Download

Google Play Download

Short Answer: Of course not!

Long Answer: Counselors serve as more than just a person to speak to when you are experiencing severe mental health issues. Many students speak to counselors about everyday issues that are not always at an "extreme" emotional level. Going to speak to a counselor can be a great way to relieve stress. You can talk to your counselor about how to manage schoolwork, roommate issues, cultural barriers, loneliness, and other everyday concerns. 

These are normal feelings and it is okay to speak to someone who is trained to teach you coping mechanisms! Counselors are also educators who understand how the mind works and why/how people think the way they do. 

RISE

We help students live vital, meaningful lives through prevention education and holistic well-being strategies. We host presentations, workshops, and resource tables; coach students about their substance use using individualized, harm reduction strategies; provide mental health resources to students; and so much more.

Student Counseling Center

We recognize that many Texas Tech students are being impacted by historical and recent events. The Student Counseling Center holds firm to the University's values and commitment to justice and inclusion. Our staff is here to help students navigate through these times.

Psychology Clinic

The Psychology Clinic strives to offer high-quality and cost-efficient services to our clients. We value and respect the multiple identities and communities with whom we work. Services are confidential and personalized to meet the particular needs of each client. 

Family Therapy Clinic

The Family Therapy Clinic upholds a strong tradition of providing affordable, high-quality therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families of Lubbock and surrounding communities. Our diverse team of faculty supervisors and graduate student therapists utilize effective, contemporary therapeutic techniques to address client needs and promote healthy relationships.

Student Health Services

Confidential services for student health-related concerns


Title IV office

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or
activity. Texas Tech University does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on or related to
sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability, or protected veteran status.

Other Student Resources

If you have a concern and are not sure where to report it, you can find help here. 

The Dean of Students offers a reporting system that can also be done anonymously if needed, to report issues such as

• Title IX (including gender-based discrimination, dating violence, domestic violence, hostile environment, sexual assault, nonconsensual sexual contact, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, stalking, retaliation, or other forms of sexual misconduct.)
• Issues, concerns, or remedies surrounding pregnancy or childbirth can be reported here
• Bullying
• Student Org Misconduct
• Suicidal Student
• A Student of Concern

Yes!

While it is difficult to cover all cultures, ethnicities, and languages, counselors at the Counseling Center have an international background. They too have gone through many of the same experiences you have and understand what it is like to come to a new country and university. 

When you call to make an appointment with the counseling center, simply ask if there is anyone who speaks your language or is from your country if that is what you are seeking. If there is not and you would truly prefer speaking to someone from your cultural background you can try using My SSP (also known as TELUS) an online program available in over 20 languages.