UNLV Connections: Word from the Interactive Measurement Group

Mental Health Resources

by Brianna Maxim-Trumbo Issue 3: June 2017

Exterior of a brick building, with blue double doors, named Jean Nidetch Women's Center.If you have pneumonia or a broken bone, what do you do? You go to the doctor, right? But what do you do when you are concerned about your mental health? It is not often that we think about our psychological wellbeing and what to do when we are struggling with it. Almost everyone deals with mental health problems at some point in their lives or knows someone who is struggling with them. Some people assume that mental health issues only include illnesses such as schizophrenia and learning disabilities. In actuality, the umbrella of mental health also includes day-to-day struggles such as stress, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal problems. Though not always visible, some of these struggles can affect productivity and contribute to physical illnesses as well. Just like when visiting a doctor for pneumonia, visiting a mental health professional can reduce the severity and length of symptoms, so you can get back on track with your life as quickly as possible.

Even though mental health issues are widespread, many people who need or want help do not seek out mental health professionals. People have preconceived notions that all mental health professionals are the same and that therapy is expensive and promotes the use of medications. In fact, there are a wide range of mental health practitioners who focus on various types of issues, and treatment doesn’t have to be expensive. There are also options available to help with the cost of treatment.

The purpose of this article is to list a variety of affordable and easily accessible resources available at UNLV and in its surrounding community. This is not a comprehensive list of all the services and hospitals in Las Vegas, but these are some of the bigger ones based out of and around UNLV. If you are worried that social relationships or occupational opportunities could be terminated due to the stigma associated with mental or emotional problems, you can be at ease. In all the services provided here, the information you disclose will be kept confidential and will not be used against you in any academic and nonacademic setting. Employers and friends cannot receive this information about your mental or emotional condition unless you provide it to them.

Seeking help is nothing to be ashamed of. We all need help and support in our lives and we do not need to go through the struggle alone. Finding services is half the battle, so I hope that this list can help make the task a little bit easier. The following information is a summary of information from their websites. For more detailed information on these services, I encourage you to go to the links provided.

Student Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

CAPS is located in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and is available for both emergency and non-emergency situations. CAPS offers group therapy and couples consultation. CAPS service is only available for currently enrolled students who have paid their health fee.  To get more detail about CAPS, please visit their website or give them a call at 702-895-3627. They also offer the following after-hours emergency locations close to the UNLV campus:

  • Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services
    • 1590 W. Sunset Rd, Henderson, NV 89014 (7 miles from UNLV)
    • 6161 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146 (8.8 miles from UNLV)
    • Suite 145, 1785 E. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (4 miles from UNLV)
    • 702-486-6000
  • Montevista Hospital (24 hour services)
    • 5900 West Rochelle Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89103 (5 miles from UNLV)
    • 702-364-1111

UNLV Campus Advocacy Resource Empowerment (CARE)

CARE is an advocacy center located in the Women’s Center that provides emergency assistance for individuals who were victims and survivors of sexual assault. They also provide assistance for those experiencing domestic violence and stalking. This service is available for both women and men. CARE also have a variety of resources available for those facing other types of abuse. To contact an advocate for help, call 702-895-0602. The Rape Crisis Center phone number is 888-366-1640. Visit their website to see information about other services they offer.

  • The University of Medical Center (UMC) hospital works with the CARE Advocates.  It is currently the only hospital that has a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), who provides rape kits for adults in Clark County and offers that service for free.
    • Location: Go to the emergency room entrance at 1800 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
    • The evidence in the rape kit will be needed if you wish to press charges.

The Partnership for Research, Assessment, Counseling, Therapy, and Innovative Clinical Education (The PRACTICE)

This is a place where professors and graduate students practice counseling. The center is open to both students and the community. It provides evidence-based therapy during individual and group therapy sessions such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, just to name a few. The PRACTICE has a broad scope, providing counseling to individuals dealing with both day to day struggles and trauma.  They offer assessments, diagnoses, and treatments. Students receive a discount and charges are based on a sliding scale: This means that pricing will adjust based on family income to make the services more affordable. For time and availability options, and a more comprehensive list of therapy and assessment they offer, please visit their website or call the number listed below.

  • Located in the William D. Carlson Education Building (CEB) room 226.
  • 702-985-1532

Other Services

Below are other services that may be beneficial to you:

  • UNLV Campus Police: 702-895-3668
    • If you call 911 on a campus phone, you will automatically be connected to the UNLV Campus Police. If you call 911 from your cell phone, you will be connected to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). So, if you have to choose between using a cell phone or land line on campus to call 911, use the land line for faster assistance. The police responds to emergency situations such as fight break outs, medical emergencies, and feelings of being stalked. If there is a medical emergency, they will also call the ambulance and rush you to the nearest hospital. For a map of locations and more information about services, click here.
  • UNLV Office of Student Conduct: 702-895-2308
    • The office is equipped to help resolve conflicts between students such as misconduct issues, and protecting academic integrity. They offer mediation services to help resolve disputes. You can also report students for misconduct here if you see someone endangering or assaulting someone else, and they will help you file incident reports if necessary. Their services are available to students, staff, and faculty.
      • Located in the Central Desert Complex Building 01 Room 118
  • Shelters in Las Vegas:
    • Shelters are safe places for those who have nowhere else to go. This includes individuals with mental illness and victims of abuse. These places also offer some counseling services, along with beds, attention, and meals to children and adults. Locations are confidential to ensure those seeking their help will not be discovered by those they are running from. If you need to seek help from a shelter, call their crises number and they will interview you and help you get to their shelter.
  • Family Court and Services Center (FCSC): 702-455-3400
    • Located at 601 North Pecos Road, Ste. ADG-450, Las Vegas, NV 89101-2408
    • The FCSC offers various protection orders (sexual assault, workplace/harassment/stalking, protection of children) and restraining orders. A protection order is issued by law for an individual who may be at risk because they were witnesses to a crime that is now being investigated, while a restraining order can be asked for by individuals during domestic disputes. The service center offers support for issues such as divorce, annulment, and child custody, as well. They also offer resources and information to those acting without legal counsel.

Brianna smiling.Brianna Maxim graduated from UNLV with a B.A. in Psychology and has been in Dr. Barchard’s lab for 5 years. She continues to work with Dr. Barchard, and now Dr. Benning, to further her research knowledge. She recently applied to UNLV’s Master of Social Work program to pursue her interest in advocacy for individuals discriminated against because of their mental health diagnoses and to raise awareness about mental health stigma.