Student Counseling Services
Parents and Client Confidentiality
Page Content
Concerned About a Student?
If you have a concern about a current USM student (undergraduate or graduate) and feel the individual may need some help, you can file a CARES report. When you file a report, someone from our professional CARES team will reach out to the student to make sure they are okay and, if necessary, help connect them with resources.
Confidentiality
Parents should be aware that the professional staff at Student Counseling Services are ethically and legally obligated to maintain client confidentiality. This means that we cannot share information with you about your student's attendance or progress in counseling, or with The University of Southern Mississippi, or any other party without the student's expressed written consent.
However, there are some special cases where we are legally and ethically obligated to disclose client information to protect public welfare. Visit our Confidentiality page for more information about confidentiality and minors seeking services.
Although we strictly maintain client confidentiality within these guidelines, parents and family members of students may want to call us to share important information about a particular student, or ask general questions about our services. We are more than willing to receive information about a particular student, or provide general information about our services. Please note, however, that we can neither confirm nor deny whether a particular student is a client at Student Counseling Services.
USM Student Help Page
The USM Student Help page has resources for various areas including, academic, financial, social, health & wellness, and more. If you would like to learn more about local resources for your student, check out the USM Help page.
Mental Health College Guide
Did you know 75% of all mental health conditions begin by age 24? That’s why the college years are so critical for understanding and talking about mental health, and why NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, partnered with the Jed Foundation to develop the Mental Health College Guide.
Going to college is a big step, and big steps come with excitement, the unknown, and, usually, a healthy amount of stress. That’s not only ok, but it’s to be expected. And it’s the reason this guide was designed by—and for—college students.
The guide covers topics from self-care to getting mental health care support, to legal
rights and self-advocacy. Check it out!
Questions About SCS?
Visit our FAQ page to find out more about our services, what to expect during the first appointment, what to do if your student is on the Gulf Park campus, and more!