The Johns Hopkins University Student Assistance Program (JHSAP) is committed to assisting students in managing the challenges they face during their academic careers. JHSAP provides support to students in dealing with personal, academic, and relationship problems

Getting help is free, easy, convenient, and confidential. Our goal is to get to know you, understand the challenges you are facing, and to discuss how to move forward in a healthy way. To this end, the JHSAP offers a variety of services including:

• Assessment of your current concerns
• Brief, supportive counseling
• Referral to appropriate and accessible community services and resources
• Consultation that supports academic and/or professional development
• Immediate support and management for crisis situations
• Dean, Faculty, and Staff consultations
• Risk assessment for students
• Training, education, and outreach
  

Assessment of your current concerns

During the first session with the JHSAP clinician, you will discuss your concerns or problems. When the clinician feels he or she has a good understanding of you and your concerns, the clinician will share with you his or her thoughts about what might be causing your problems, and what can be done to remedy them.

Brief, supportive counseling

For situations or concerns that can be adequately addressed in just a few meetings with the JHSAP clinician, arrangements can be made for brief, time-limited, support and/or education sessions.

Referral to appropriate and accessible community services and resources

After discussing your concerns with the JHSAP clinician, it may be recommended that you receive additional counseling or treatment from another clinician or treatment service. JHSAP maintains a large referral network, and can facilitate referrals to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, substance abuse counselors, support groups, and various treatment programs. Should your situation require a referral for ongoing counseling support, the JHSAP clinician may continue to meet with you until you can meet with the new clinician or treatment program. While you are not charged for JHSAP services, you may be able to use your health insurance to help pay for the services provided by the clinician or program to which you are referred.

Consultation that supports academic and/or professional development

Students often seek JHSAP assistance with concerns about academic performance and productivity. In response, we’ve developed expertise in the area of study skills enhancement and board examination preparation. Other areas of focus include preparing for oral examinations, thesis and dissertation progress and preparing for a thesis or dissertation defense. We do not however arrange for academic tutoring services.

Immediate support and management for crisis situations

In some situations, a timely intervention is the key to a successful resolution. If a situation requires a very rapid response, a JHSAP clinician may be available to talk or meet with you on the same day that you call. We strive to provide expeditious and effective responses to assist you in a healthy resolution to your concerns.

Dean, Faculty, and Staff consultations

JHSAP provides an invaluable service to deans, faculty and staff who are concerned about, or are unsure about how to effectively work with a student. In a collaborative approach, the JHSAP clinician and the Dean, faculty member or staff member will problem-solve about the most efficient way to handle the particular situation. This includes risk assessments for students that may be in danger of harming themselves or others.

Training, education, and outreach

JHSAP strives to improve and maintain the physical and psychological wellness of the Hopkins communities. We provide education and outreach to students about topics that benefit all students served by the JHSAP, including topics related to stress management, study skills, and financial planning strategies.