Let’s Talk

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Focus: All students
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/95284802163
Providers: Ben de Boer, Tang Yang

Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Focus: Student survivors of sexual and relationship violence
Virtual: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99729984725
Provider: Annie Bruns

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Focus: Res Life House Fellows
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99729984725
Provider: Molly Willihnganz

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Focus: Students who identify as Jewish
In person: Hillel
Provider: Julie Silverman

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Focus: All students
In person: College Library, Room 2191D
Providers: Wei-Chiao Hsu, Matt Sablan

Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Focus: Engineering students
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99729984725
Provider: Michelle Bond

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Focus: All students
In person: College Library, Room 2191D
Providers: Brian Drozd, Danyelle Okesanjo

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Focus: BIPOC students
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/95284802163
Provider: Kayla Eggen

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Focus: Indigenous students
In person: Indigenous Student Center, 2nd floor wellness room
Provider: Serena Cisneros

Time: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Focus: Business students
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99729984725
Provider: Julie Phillips

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: Health profession students
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/95284802163 
Providers: Lia Warbasse, Dan Torinus

Time: 10 a.m. – Noon
Focus: International students
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/95284802163
Providers: Geetanjali Deole, Felix Savino

Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Focus: Nursing students
Sign-up: Calendly * Ross will follow-up with a Zoom link for the appointment.
Provider: Ross Beattie

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Focus: All students
In person: Smith Hall, Conference Room 1153
Provider: Kendall Ferguson, Alex Little

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Focus: Engineering
Virtual: uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99729984725
Provider: Michelle Bond

Let’s Talk is a program for UW–Madison students that provides easy access to informal and confidential support and consultation with counselors from UHS Mental Health Services. Counselor consultants hold drop-in hours virtually and at sites around campus Monday through Friday. Any student is welcome at any site or virtual link and no fee is charged. Virtual and in-person sections of Let’s Talk are first come, first served with no registration needed.

All UW–Madison undergraduate and graduate students can come to a Let’s Talk consultation, but it’s the best fit for students who:

• Aren’t sure about counseling or wonder what it’s like to talk to a counselor;
• Aren’t interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor;
• Have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through; or
• Have a concern about a friend or family member and would like ideas about what to do.

Let’s Talk is a program for UW–Madison students that provides easy access to informal and confidential support and consultation with counselors from UHS Mental Health Services. In these 20-minute one-on-one consultations, you can discuss concerns, get support, and experience what it is like to speak with a mental health provider.  Some sections focus on a specific concern or identity, and others are open to all students and concerns.

Counselors provide ongoing counseling, which usually consists of weekly or bi-monthly 45–50 minute appointments. Let’s Talk is not formal counseling; it’s a drop-in service where students can have an informal consultation with a counselor consultant from time to time.

Let’s Talk is an informal drop-in service that provides consultation and support. An access appointment is the first step toward linking students with counseling services at UHS. Part of an access appointment is reviewing and signing formal paper work, and assessing symptoms and distress levels.

Absolutely. The counselor consultant will help you talk through your issues and help you determine the best way to get support. If you feel comfortable with the counselor consultant, it is sometimes possible to meet with them at UHS in an on-going way.

Yes, the counselor consultant will help you with your immediate concerns and assist you with referrals for ongoing support.

It’s best to call UHS directly if you believe you need to be seen sooner than your scheduled appointment.

Since regular counseling appointments are not available at Let’s Talk, following up with the referral is a good idea.

If your next appointment is not soon enough, it is best to contact your counselor directly to see if they can see you sooner.

Express your concerns directly to your counselor. Counselors are eager to hear feedback—both positive and negative. Often, an open conversation about your concerns can resolve any issues.

Although Let’s Talk counselor consultants are professionals, Let’s Talk is not a substitute for psychotherapy or formal counseling and doesn’t constitute mental health treatment. Let’s Talk counselor consultants provide informal consultations to help students with specific problems and to introduce them to what it’s like to speak with a counselor. Your Let’s Talk counselor consultant can help you determine whether formal counseling would be useful to you and, if appropriate, connect you with UHS.

One exception is that counselors may need to share information in a situation in which safety for yourself or others is a concern. Let’s Talk counselor consultants keep brief written notes of their contacts with student in the event that there is an emergency, or when a student is referred to UHS. In these situations, other UHS counseling staff may see these notes. Information is also collected about attendance, so that we can keep track of the students we serve and those we need to continue serving.