‘You matter’: Q&A with Jihad Aziz on VCU’s array of mental health services and resources

By Brian McNeill

University Counseling Services is committed to supporting Virginia Commonwealth University students who are experiencing emotional, psychological or behavioral health concerns.

Jihad Aziz, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and executive director of University Counseling Services, wants VCU students to know that free, confidential mental health support is available to help them manage personal challenges and succeed academically and personally. 

“You matter. Your well-being matters. And you never have to navigate a crisis alone,” Aziz said. “A counselor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – whenever you need support.”

An array of services and resources are available through University Counseling Services, including crisis support; individual, relationship and group therapy; as well as virtual care services with TimelyCare – the virtual health and well-being platform from TimelyMD, designed for college students.

Aziz recently spoke with VCU News to highlight these services and resources that are available to all VCU students.

What services does University Counseling Services provide?

We provide brief, confidential individual therapy, group therapy, crisis services, as well as outreach and consultation. We also run a number of support groups for students at the university as well.

How does a student determine what service or resource would be the right fit for what they need? For example, an in-person appointment versus a Timely Care virtual appointment?

It’s really about whether or not you want to be seen in-person. One of the things about the virtual option is that it’s really good for people who would prefer virtual, and during weekends and evenings. But if you’re interested in being seen in-person and during the day, during our business hours, then coming to University Counseling Services would be the best option.

For a student seeking mental health support, what’s the most important thing you want them to know?

The most important thing I want them to know is that we are available for them 24/7, 365, whenever they want to reach out, whether it be through our crisis line or through Talk Now via TimelyCare. There’s always someone available to support them.

If a student is in crisis, what should they do?

They should call us immediately 804-828-6200. We’re available 24/7, 365, holidays, weekends – there will be somebody to respond to them to provide support.

What are the biggest barriers for students to receive mental health support at VCU? And what is University Counseling Services doing to address the barriers?

One barrier might be that [students might not have] knowledge that the resources exist. It can be a challenge if students aren’t aware that we are here and available. So we try to do outreach programs.

We advertise on the various TVs across campus and on social media. We let faculty and staff know that we’re available. We place ads with Commonwealth Times. Every way that we can think of we try to share information about our services. There’s a message that goes out from the VP of Student Affairs that has resources about counseling on it. The provost’s Prospectus newsletter included information about counseling on it as well. So we try to find a lot of different ways to raise awareness.

Our most successful advertisement is actually the students that we serve. The majority of the students are coming because of word-of-mouth, because they had a good experience and share with their friends that they have had a positive experience and have recommended them to come to counseling. So I think our reputation precedes us, and I think that information gets out there.

Other barriers can include a lack of family support or a concern about stigma around mental health. Some of these more societal issues still might be ingrained, but some of those have loosened a great deal over the last 10 years. We try to normalize it and make it OK. We try to make it as comfortable as possible for students.

Are individual therapy appointments, TimelyCare and other University Counseling Services free for students or is there a cost?

These are free, confidential resources that are available to support students.

Is there anything else you’d like VCU students to know about the mental health services and resources that are available to them?

We want them to know that we’re here and we’re available 24/7, 365. We want them to know that if there’s a crisis at any time, they can reach out. We want them to know that they matter and that they’re important to us. And we want no one to ever suffer in silence.