Mental Health
http://web.mit.edu/medical/services/s-mentalhealth.html
Building E23, Room 368
617.253.2916
Most of the people who consult Mental Health staff are seeking help to deal with normal stressors. If some problem is bothering you or if you’re concerned about a friend, don’t hesitate to consult the Mental Health staff. MIT Medical’s Mental Health Service has good people to talk with, about problems [any problems], opinions on some subject, or even an idea you want to run up a flagpole. It’s possible to talk individually, as a couple, or in a variety of student oriented groups and workshops. Talking with the Mental Health staff sooner rather than later can help keep small difficulties from becoming larger.
- Making an appointment: There are about 25 psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurse practitioners on the staff, and it’s OK, but not necessary, to ask for an appointment with a particular clinician you know. When you call to make your first appointment at the Mental Health Service, the receptionist will schedule you for a brief phone call with a mental health clinician at a pre-arranged time. This call takes 15 minutes or less and helps match you with the mental health therapist most appropriate for your particular needs. If a private phone call doesn’t work for you, you can choose to come in for a 15-minute face-to-face conversation.
The normal period between intake call and appointment is about one week. You may request a particular clinician, but this may delay the initial appointment beyond a week. Mental Health Service also has walk-in hours offered 2-4pm weekdays for urgent concerns. If you really need to talk to someone immediately, make it clear to the receptionist and you will almost always be able to see someone on the same day you call. In an emergency, contact Urgent Care [617.253.1311] anytime — they will connect you to the mental health person on-call. - Confidentiality: The therapist cannot legally discuss your care with anyone outside the staff unless you sign a release; even then you can specify the type of information to be released.
- Alternatives: If the Mental Health Service does not fit your needs, it can provide you with a list of off-campus possibilities covering a range of cost options.
- Eating issues: If you are concerned about yourself or a friend regarding an eating disorder, restrictive eating, or emotional or “stress” eating, you can discuss these issues confidentially. MIT has a number of resources and groups to provide support. Contact Mental Health Service for more information, or contact the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness at healthed@med.mit.edu [617.253.1316].
- Alcohol and Drugs: How do you know if you have a problem with alcohol or drug use? If your life or someone’s life around you is being affected by your drinking or other drug use, it’s time to get help. Here are a few indicators: missing class or not being able to study due to hangovers, sleeping through exams, alcohol or other drug use affecting your relationships with others, or people expressing concerns about your drinking or other drug use. For help dealing with your substance issues or someone else’s, call Mental Health Services or consult your GRT or Housemaster.
