Student Affairs is always available to you during regular business hours (M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) by calling 509.249.7724. We are happy to assist you in securing counseling services.
Medical school can be an extremely stressful experience, even for the most well-adjusted and healthy student. Challenging curriculum, rigorous schedules, stressful clinical experiences, exposure to human suffering, and the pressure of national boards can all combine to create significant strain on a student’s mental wellness.
To add to the challenge, life doesn’t just stand still while a student pursues medical training. Students often experience the death of close family or friends, physical injuries, health issues, relational issues with spouses/significant others and children, and other very difficult situations.
We believe a student’s mental well-being is crucial to success in medical school and beyond. We have partnered with several local mental wellness providers to give our students places to seek help when they need it.
Need someone to talk to? Want someone to vent to other than someone you know, or who knows you? Connect with another student (anonymously) who may be able to provide you some support and guidance. After all, maybe they’ve gone through something similar. Please see the jotform for more information, and to request certain specifics of who you are matched with.
Please note that this is NOT an emergency service, please see the following resources and reach out if you or someone you know is in need of help.
Jotform:
Resources
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 or
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
http://www.thehotline.org
Local Domestic Violence Resources: 509-248-7796
https://www.ywcayakima.org
LGTBQI hotline: 1-888-843-4564
Substance Abuse Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
Alcohol Abuse Hotline: 1-888-506-2153
Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.aa.org/
Dr. Joy Staley email: jstaley@pnwu.edu (free on campus counseling)
Taylor Klein: kleint09@gmail.com (free online campus counseling)
Student Assistance Program: 509-575-4313 or 1-800-321-3498
| Service | Contact Information | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | (800) 273-8255 | 24-Hour Crisis Line |
| Counseling (immediate assistance during regular business hours) |
Student Affairs Office |
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Counseling (on or off campus) |
Dr. Joy Staley Carly Mankus Karen Trujillo |
Counselors arrange appointments with students around student schedules. |
| Counseling (off campus) | Student Assistance Program 502 S 4th Ave Yakima, WA 98902 509-575-4313 or 1-800-321-3498 |
SAP: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (24-Hour Crisis Responders Available) |
On-Campus Counseling
Students can schedule a confidential on-campus counseling appointment for immediate needs or seek referrals for longer-term solutions. Visit our counselor bios to find out more about our staff and scheduling info.
- Joy Staley, PhD |jstaley@pnwu.edu
- Taylor Klein, MS |taylor.klein@pnwu.edu
- Carly Mankus|swiftwatercounseling@gmail.com
- Karen Trujillo|karen.trujillo16@northwestu.edu
Off-Campus Counseling
PNWU has contracted with Comprehensive Health to provide unlimited, free, confidential counseling to our students.
This service is available not just to our first- and second-year students in Yakima, but also to our third- and fourth-year students regardless of their location. Please call 509.575.4313 or 800.321.3498 FREE to access this confidential service. Make sure you identify yourself as a PNWU student, otherwise they may mistake you as a private pay and it can take longer to get an appointment.
If your need is urgent, let them know so they can schedule you an immediate appointment, otherwise it may take up to 48 hours for your first appointment.
If you need to speak with someone after-hours or on weekends they have a crisis line which can be accessed by calling their number and following the voice message prompts.
Online Resources
Below are links to two online counseling services. Below the links is a table summarizing some helpful information from their respective websites. PNWU does not endorse any particular service or provider. We are supplying this information as a courtesy and it is up to students to determine whether either service is appropriate for them.
Students may be able to obtain a discount from Better Help based on income, though an easy request for the discount.
|
|
Betterhelp |
Talkspace |
|
Who are their counselors? |
Masters or doctoral level practitioners who have been qualified and certified by their state’s professional board |
Licensed and experienced mental health counselors |
|
How much does it cost? |
$40-$70/week, billed monthly |
Starting at $65/week |
|
Can I be reimbursed by insurance? |
Unlikely |
Not stated on website |
|
Services Offered |
Exchange messages, live chats, video conferencing through Betterhelp platform, phone calls |
Exchange messages, video conferencing through Talkspace mobile app |