TSU Crisis HelpLine Mission Statement

The Mission of the TSU Crisis HelpLine is twofold: service to our TSU community and individual enrichment of our students. Therefore, we shall endeavor:

To serve our callers by offering free crisis intervention counseling, emotional support, factual information and appropriate referrals while empowering individuals to take control of their lives and choose courses of action;

To provide education and training for individuals interested in developing high quality therapeutic communication skills and a rewarding counseling experience for Crisis HelpLine Listeners.

What We Believe

What We Offer

• Life is sometimes hard. Challenges and difficulties are a part of life.
• Talking to someone can help cope with these challenges.
• People have within themselves the strength to overcome their problems.
• Trained, crisis counselors can be a helpful first resource for people with difficulties and people in crisis.

• Trained, unbiased, respectful, counselors to talk with you about your concerns.
• Referrals to various resources in your community for continuing help.
• Assurance that all calls are confidential and anonymous.

Our Common Issues addressed on the Crisis Helpline

• ABUSE & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
• ADDICTION & COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR
• AGING & ELDER CARE
• ANXIETY
• BASIC NEEDS (Food, clothing, etc.)
• DEPRESSION & SUICIDE
• DIVORCE
• FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
• SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES

• GAY & LESBIAN ISSUES
• GRIEF
• HEALTH INFORMATION & MEDICAL CARE
• LEGAL HELP
• MENTAL ILLNESS
• PARENTING CONCERNS
• SCHOOL STRESS
• RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS
• CAREER-RELATED ISSUES

Commonly Asked Questions

What kind of people call HelpLine?

Men and women, young and old, students and non-students. People from all walks of life make use of our services! We are here for you.

Is this confidential?

Yes.* Your call is anonymous (you can give your name or not) and confidential (we will not tell other people that you called and what you talked about). We respect your privacy. Our phones do not have "Caller-ID."

Can just talking really do any good?

Yes. Sometimes just talking about a problem helps you make sense of it. The input from another person may help you to realize the situation is not as bad as you thought, or suggest solutions you may not have considered. Even when there's no "quick fix" to your problem, talking about it can help you feel less anxious and worried about it.

When I call, who answers?

Trained, crisis counselors. We have undergone training in order to understand a wide variety of challenges that people may face. We are trained to actively listen and help you explore your feelings and solutions to your problems. We also offer referrals to community resources that might help you.

Can you help with my problem? It's really weird!

Yes. We receive calls from people with concerns that they think are weird or unusual. Many are relieved to hear that their problem is actually quite common. (It just may be that no one really talks about it.) No matter how odd you think your problem is, chances are we've heard stranger things.

* Want to Learn Crisis Intervention Skills *

TSU students, particularly graduate students with a mental health major, can call the UCC and request information on how to attend a FREE Crisis Intervention Training. Attendance at this training counts towards the accrual of clinical contact hours. Hurry, space is limited!

How to Contact TSU Crisis HelpLine

Call us at (713) 313-7863 — 24 hours-a-day /7 days-a-week.
For administrative assistance, please call (713) 313-7804.

Snail mail can be sent to:

TSU Crisis HelpLine
c/o University Counseling Center
3100 Cleburne Street, Fairchild, Ste. 147
Houston, TX 77004

If you found this Web-based information helpful,
please call the HelpLine at (713) 313-7863 and let us know!