CAPS Connect

CAPS Connect provides a place to talk about concerns during a brief, free, confidential conversation. You can have a mental health professional listen to you and offer support, or you might prefer to receive expert suggestions about solutions and resources.

This service is available in-person during fall and spring semesters and is open to enrolled MSU students. CAPS Connect is not available during University breaks or the summer semester

Sign up in advance to chat with a CAPS clinician! Note that availability is subject to occasional change, but will be kept up-to-date through our scheduling platform. Click the button below to see current scheduling options.

Schedule Now

Remember, if you need support immediately, crisis counseling is available 24/7. Call (517) 355-8270 and press “1” at the prompt to speak with a crisis counselor.

Keep up with the latest CAPS news by following Student Health and Wellness on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

 

 

About CAPS Connect

 

Learn more with these frequently asked questions: 

 

Spring 2024 Schedule

Click the button below to schedule a CAPS Connect session

Schedule Now

CAPS Connect is available in person. Location details are available in the scheduling platform. Note that availability is subject to occasional change, but will be kept up-to-date through our scheduling platform. Click here to see current scheduling options. Remember, if you need support immediately, crisis counseling is available 24/7. Call (517) 355-8270 and press “1” at the prompt to speak with a crisis counselor.

Mondays

  • College of Social Science
    2:30–4:30 p.m. 
    Facilitator:  Dukhae Sung

Tuesdays

  • Agriculture and Natural Resources 
    2:30-4:30 p.m.
    Facilitator:  Jeff Baker

  • MOSAIC and African American and African Studies (AAAS) 
    10 a.m.–12 p.m. 
    Facilitator: Markie Silverman

  • College of Arts and Letters
    10 a.m.–12 p.m. 
    Facilitator: Christian Gibson

  • Athletics 
    10 a.m. –12 p.m.   
    Facilitators:  Jimmy Bruce 

  • Gender and Sexuality Campus Center 
    10 a.m.–12 p.m.       
    Facilitator:  Ginny Blakely

  • OCAT
    2:30–4:30 p.m.
    Facilitator: Troy Strother

  • OISS
    1–3 p.m.
    Facilitators: Zhenshan Zhong

  • College of Nursing 
    1:30-3:30 p.m. 
    Facilitator: Nicki Walker

  • College of Engineering
    1–3 p.m. 
    Facilitator: Olivia Scott

Wednesdays

 

Thursdays

Fridays

  • College of Communication Arts & Sciences
    10 a.m.–12 p.m. 
    Facilitator: Kris Amos

  • College of Education
    10 a.m.–12 p.m. 
    Facilitator:  Sarah DeYoung 

  • College of Music
    3–5 p.m. 
    Facilitator:  Yvonne Connelly


To access non-crisis mental health services and resources,  schedule a consultation to get started.

 

What is CAPS Connect?

CAPS Connect is based on the Let’s Talk model developed at Cornell University. Let's Talk has been adopted by nearly 100 universities and colleges and is shown to increase student access to mental health resources and information.

CAPS Connect is a brief consultation program that is confidential, completely free, and available to all enrolled MSU students. It is not offered at CAPS locations. CAPS Connect providers offer this service in-person once per week at multiple academic colleges and departments across campus.

Students sign up in advance and meet with a CAPS clinician for up to 20 minutes to talk about a specific concern, receive support and suggestions, and learn more about counseling. Common concerns include:

  • Stress
  • Difficulty adjusting to school
  • Academic concerns
  • Family, roommate, or other relationship issues
  • Financial concerns
  • Sadness
  • Adjustments related to COVID-19

CAPS Connect is not meant to supplement ongoing counseling or provide support in crisis situations. Students in need of crisis services can call CAPS CRISIS Line (24/7/365) at (517) 355-8270, prompt '1'.

How is CAPS Connect different from counseling?

  • CAPS Connect is a brief conversation (approximately 15–20 minutes)
  • While CAPS Connect is offered weekly, students are not meant to attend it regularly. Students who know that they need regular sessions with a counselor should connect with CAPS through a virtual “initial consultation” to explore options. Students can schedule this initial consultation here.

What happens in a CAPS Connect session?

The student can talk about their concern or ask questions, and the CAPS Connect counselor will answer, share appropriate resources or provide support around that issue.

Who should access CAPS Connect?

All MSU students are welcome to use CAPS Connect. The service is best suited for students who:

  • Aren't sure about counseling, and are wondering if it might help.
  • Are more interested in the perspective of a counselor than in ongoing counseling.
  • Are concerned about a friend and are looking for suggestions on what to do.
  • Have a specific problem they want to talk about or to talk it out.

Are CAPS Connect sessions confidential?

Conversations with CAPS Connect counselors are confidential. However, by law, counselors may need to share information in a situation in which safety for you or others is a concern. Information is also collected about demographic information, attendance and topics discussed so that we can keep track of the students being served and those we need to continue serving. If you have further questions about confidentiality, we encourage you to discuss them with a CAPS Connect counselor and review the information given to you during your session.

 

Please Remember:

Preview image of CAPS Connect flyer with image of Sparty statue, QR code and CAPS description.Although CAPS Connect staff are mental health professionals, CAPS Connect is not a substitute for formal counseling and does not constitute mental health treatment. CAPS Connect is for a consultation about a specific problem. It is also where students can ask questions about formal counseling. CAPS Connect can help you decide whether formal counseling may be helpful to you.

Click here for a PDF of the Informed Consent for MSU CAPS Connect. 

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