Supporting the Pirate community
Mental health is an important issue on college campuses. A recent survey found that more than 51% of students believe they have more stress and anxiety now than they did a year ago.
To help combat these challenge, East Carolina University continues to offer mental health and counseling services to its students.
Learn more about the university resources available to Pirate Nation.
ECU Center for Counseling and Student Development
The Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD)’s programs are designed to be an integral part of the university structure and contribute to ECU’s mission of education, research and service. Individual and group counseling programs, along with additional outreach activities, are designed to enhance the quality of life for ECU students in the areas of cognitive, emotional, social, career and academic development.
CCSD services are available to currently enrolled ECU students at no cost beyond what they have paid in tuition and fees.
CCSD Services
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or visit your local hospital emergency department. For other crisis resources, visit: counselingcenter.ecu.edu/crisis/.
The ECU CCSD offers a variety of mental health services, ranging from urgent services to individual and group counseling.
Urgent Support Services
Urgent support services can be used when Pirates are in high distress or an emergency situation.
- This may include:
- Thinking of harming oneself or other people;
- Recently experiencing a traumatic event;
- Engaging in self-injurious behaviors;
- Hearing or seeing things that do not exist;
- Being unable to function (i.e., difficulty getting out of bed, change in appetite, etc.);
- Being unable to wait until next available or scheduled appointment to receive help.
If you need urgent support, call 252-328-6661.
If you are concerned about a Pirate in need of urgent support, contact ECU Cares at 252-328-9297 or online ecucares.ecu.edu.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling sessions are available to students in confidential, one-on-one settings. These sessions involve exploring personal concerns, learning new ways of coping, creating changes and increasing life satisfaction. Sessions typically last about 50 minutes.
To get started with individual counseling, call the CCSD at 252-328-6661 to schedule an appointment with a counselor.
Group Counseling
Group counseling sessions provide supportive and therapeutic environments for Pirates to connect with others. Groups typically meet weekly for 60-90 minutes and involve up to 10 students led by trained mental health professionals.
To get started with group counseling, call the CCSD at 252-328-6661 to speak with the group coordinator for more information.
CCSD Resources
In addition to its urgent support, individual counseling and group support services, the CCSD has resources that expand its opportunity to support student mental health.
Pirates Navigating Distress Workshop
Pirates Navigating Distress is a three-session virtual skills seminar created for ECU students. This guided virtual learning tour is designed to introduce skills for coping with distress and times of change, shifting from surviving to thriving, and cultivating a rich and meaningful life.
Each module provides users an introduction to a set of skills, as well as tips and resources for diving deeper on your own.
Self-Help Support
The CCSD provides a collection of university-related resources for self-help support, ranging from resources for mental health, mindfulness, identity support and time management.
Mental Health Apps
Along with traditional university resources, the CCSD provides mental health apps. These applications target specific challenge areas like anxiety, depression, stress and sleep. Links are available for both iOS and Android devices.
Additional Resources
If you’re still looking for support, check the CCSD’s additional counseling resources webpage. The page includes campus counseling resources and support for additional counseling services off campus. The CCSD does not endorse any specific off-campus practice or provider.
For more information on the CCSD, visit the center online.