Whenever students struggle with critical problems, they have the option to call the Crisis Line — a confidential 24/7 service offered by the Counseling and Mental Health Center that gives students the opportunity to speak with trained counselors about urgent concerns. 

However, Marla Craig, associate director for CMHC’s Clinical Services, said the line receives many different types of problems, such as roommate issues, that would be better approached during in-person counseling sessions. She said she wants students to know the Crisis Line is not the same as a therapy session. 

“I think it was students hoping it was a counseling session,” Craig said. “That’s probably not going to be very satisfying because it’s a crisis line. The Crisis Line is a little bit more immediate. So we really try to make sure that we inform our students that it is a crisis line.”

The Crisis Line’s website states reasons to call include suicidal thoughts or distress.

Government senior Courtney House has called the Crisis Line multiple times and said she uses it as a substitution for therapy sessions. 

“If I’m having a panic attack and I can’t sleep or calm down, it’s not that helpful,” House said. “Usually they say that I need to see my therapist.”

House said she doesn’t think the Crisis Line is useful at helping people who are experiencing a crisis.

“It’s not that helpful because it’s marketed as it can really help people in a crisis, but I don’t think that’s true unless you are at risk of harming others or yourself,” House said. 

However, UT alumnus Andrew Córdova said he was a Camp Texas Counselor and met multiple campers who spoke well of the Crisis Line. 

“I recall a few counselors sharing information with campers that the resource was there for them,” Córdova said. “Overall, I’ve heard people speak well of it.”

Because the Crisis Line is targeted more toward immediate concerns like safety and risk, Craig said students should utilize a counseling session instead to explore their other concerns further. 

Regardless, Craig said she hopes the Crisis Line is helpful to everybody. 

“I do want to believe that when students get off the phone, at least you got the opportunity to talk to somebody to be able to share whatever thoughts or feeling you have about whatever you’re calling a Crisis Line for,” Craig said. “You could get a little sense of relief.”