Faculty and Staff Resources

Serving APU Students

Mental health challenges can have significant impact on the academic functioning of students. According to the National College Health Assessment Spring 2024 report:

A total of 36% of students saw their grades significantly impacted by stress, 30% by anxiety, and 21% by depression. This is higher than financial stress (17%), family concerns (11%) and colds/viruses (15%). The NCHA report additionally highlights that 19% of students in the survey reported serious psychological distress and 25% screened positive for suicidality at sometime in the last 12 months. Faculty and staff can be critical partners in recognizing students in distress and helping connect them to the appropriate resources. The following are resources we hope can help you as you support students.

Reporting Concern for a Student

• In an Emergency: Call 911 immediately, then notify Campus Safety at (626) 815-5000.
• Consultation: Unsure how to proceed or if a situation is an emergency? The UCC offers 24/7 consultation at (626) 815-2109 for concrete advice. After hours, follow voicemail prompts to connect with an urgent-care provider. In-person consultations are also available during business hours.
• APU CARES: This system centralizes support for student academic, emotional, and well-being concerns. Faculty and staff referrals are crucial for informing university professionals and enabling prompt action.
• Confidentiality and Follow-Ups: As a confidential resource [link to make an appointment confidentiality section], the UCC generally cannot confirm or deny student interactions. Therefore, you likely won’t receive updates on our follow-up. If concerns persist, make additional reports via consultation or APU CARES.

Understanding and Promoting Our Services

All enrolled APU students can access free, confidential counseling services. We offer in-person sessions at our Azusa campus and teletherapy. During the first session, our counselors assess student needs and recommend the most effective course of action. Our brief counseling model addresses many common college student concerns. For more complex needs, we collaborate with community providers to facilitate high-quality specialist referrals.

The UCC primarily serves undergraduate students, but is happy to extend services to graduate and professional students as well through urgent care, support, Solution Sessions, groups and workshops, and ongoing therapy referrals.

Students report strong satisfaction with their experience of support at the University Counseling Center. In fact, 96% of students reported they are satisfied with their overall experience at the UCC for the 2024-2025 academic year. We greatly appreciate faculty and staff encouraging students to connect with the UCC.

Mental Health Awareness Training

To equip all faculty and staff to support student mental health, the UCC offers a formal, self-paced Canvas training. We have two versions: one for faculty and staff, and another for student leaders and student employees. For questions about these trainings, contact us at [email protected] or (626) 815-2109.

Partnerships and Guest Speakers

Bring vital mental health support directly to your students! The UCC is thrilled to partner on your events and classroom activities, amplifying your impact and strengthening our campus presence. Submit your request today by visiting our Outreach Request page, or connect with us at [email protected] or (626) 815-2109.

Ways to Share Student Support Info