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  • Mental Health
    • Political Stress Support for Students
    • HuskyHelpLine
    • Get Started – Mental Health
    • Counseling Center
    • Urgent Help
    • Let’s Talk
    • One-on-One Mental Health Support
    • Groups and Workshops
    • Psychiatric Services
    • Gender-affirming Care
    • Mental Health Resources
    • Anti-Racism Resources
    • Insurance Billing
    • Doctoral Internship Program in Health Service Psychology
    • Resources and Help After Tragic Events
  • Medical
    • Get Started – Medical
    • Insurance & Cost
    • Immunization
    • Husky Health Center
    • Rubenstein Memorial Pharmacy
    • Lab & Radiology
    • MyChart Patient Portal
  • Dental
  • LiveWell
    • LiveWell
    • Peer Health Educators
    • Confidential Advocacy
    • Peer Wellness Coaching
    • Alcohol & Other Drug Education
  • Safety
    • Get Started – Safety
    • Concerning Behaviors
    • Harassment and Sexual Harassment
    • Relationship Violence
    • Sexual Assault
    • Stalking
    • Suicide Concerns
    • SafeCampus
  • Recreation
    • Get Started – Recreation
    • The Whole U
    • UW Recreation
    • Self-Care
    • Resilience Lab
  • Resources
    • Resource Library
    • Political Stress Support for Students
    • Forms
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    • Interviews, Presentations & Outreach
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  • Quick Links
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Mental Health Resources

Resources for Parents and Families

We know families & parents have an integral role before they get to campus, during, and after. 

Here are some resources for parents and families: 

  • How to Talk with your Husky
    Your relationship may be changing, but the bond between you and your student is as important as ever. We understand that distance, and other changes now that your student is in college, can sometimes make communication complicated. Whether you’re just a few miles away or halfway across the globe, we’re here to help you figure out how to stay engaged with your student and support them through their UW experience.
  • Health & Safety Resources
    The best way to learn about your student’s college experience is directly from them. Being informed can help make these conversations more meaningful for you both. From academic tutoring to personal health and safety, you can find detailed information about the wide variety of resources that are available to help ensure students’ well-being and success. You’ll also find important university policies and a directory of campus resources.

A photo of three people of color sitting on a white couch in front of gold and purple balloons and a sign that reads: Dubs Up! A man holds a sign that reads: W Dad and a woman holds a sign that reads: W Mom. A young woman sits between them. They all smile.

Four tips to help you connect:

  • Ask follow-up questions.
  • Listen actively and patiently.
  • Try to see things from their point of view before offering advice.
  • Give your student room to vent when they need it.

When young people head to university, they begin a new phase of their life. This new phase includes a different relationship with their parents. Whether they live at home, have traveled across states, or have flown across an ocean to attend school, they will have increased freedom and encounter new challenges. As parents, watching them start this new phase can evoke pride, excitement, relief, heartache, and a sense of loss, which can be scary. You may think what they are facing is much more challenging than what you faced when you were that age, and you would likely be correct. It is hard to know how to support and guide them. Here are some suggestions.

  • Keep them talking to you about their life by responding first and foremost to their feelings. When our students feel heard, and their emotions are acknowledged, they are likelier to listen to advice and feedback.

Example: Your student tells you they failed a test. While it is tempting to ask how much they studied, tell them they need to prioritize academics over their social life, or tell them you aren’t paying for them to fail their courses, this will likely lead to an argument, or they will shut down. Either way, they will not be listening. Instead, try something like “Sounds like you are angry.” “That sounds tough.” “I can hear that upset you.” “Ouch. I remember that, and it sucks.” “That hurt.”

Example: Your student tells you their friend got drunk and left them alone at a party. While it’s tempting to tell them that their friend is not really their friend or immediately tell them you disapprove of them going to a party with alcohol, first attend to their feelings. “That sounds awful.” “Sounds like you felt let down.” “You sound angry.” “Sounds kind of scary.” Once they feel understood, you can talk about how to be safer next time.

  • College students still need their parents’ advice and support, but timing is essential. Giving feedback and advice is best when students are not emotionally upset. It is harder for anyone to listen objectively or evaluate input during distress. Much of our critical thinking is not accessible. Be patient and wait until later in the conversation or later in the day or week.

Example: A few weeks or even months after they have lost a friend or romantic partner, you might say, “It seems like you’re feeling better. Do you want to talk about what happened?”.

Example: You know how you said earlier that your boss was a jerk because she got on your case about being late again? I must disagree with how she criticized you in front of your coworkers. However, now that you have had time to cool off, what do you think about her perspective?

  • Resist telling them what to do. Even when the answer is evident to you as a parent, try not to lecture or try to fix things. Instead, please support them in finding their solution. Resisting this urge to problem-solve can be very difficult.

Example: Your student tells you that their romantic partner dumped them. It can be tempting to say, “Good. I never liked them.” “You said they wouldn’t respond to your texts for days.” “Your too good for them” “You’ll find someone better.” Try saying, “You sound sad.” “That hurts.” “No wonder you’re upset.”

  • Attend to their emotions before inserting your own opinions or judgments, as feelings may continue to be complicated even after the end of a relationship

Active Listening

Encourage your student to be honest with you about how they’re adjusting to college life. Actively listen to your students when they share and try to seek understanding rather than immediately providing solutions. 

What does it mean to be an active listener, and why is it important? Active listening is an essential communication technique to help improve communication and build stronger relationships. The method involves entirely focusing on and engaging with the speaker to understand their message. Active listeners will indicate to the speaker that they are paying attention by avoiding distractions during the conversation.

An example could be putting your phone down and showing interest by maintaining eye contact and nodding. Another cue to a speaker that you are engaging in active listening is paraphrasing or asking clarifying questions to ensure that you understand the message or story. You will likely find that genuine active listening will encourage your family member or friend to keep talking and signal that you are interested in what they say.  

You can check out this animation for additional tips on Active Listening: Four things all great listeners know

  • We’re Here to Help
    Reach out to us at uwparent@uw.edu if you have questions or concerns.

Population served

Uw Seattle Students Only Ribbon

Counseling Center

Phone
206.543.1240

Address
401 Schmitz Hall

Hours

Hours:

M, W, Th, F: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
T: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

Closed

Closed all UW holidays.

Related resources

  • Peer Health Education Workshops - LiveWell
  • Peer Wellness Coaching - LiveWell
  • E-Checkup for Alcohol - LiveWell
  • Let's Talk
  • Mindfulness Classes on Campus

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SafeCampus: 206.685.7233

Call if you have concerns about campus safety.

Husky HelpLine (24/7 Mental Health Support): 206.616.7777

  • 24-hour crisis line supported through Telus (formally MySSP) to give students access to same-day, confidential mental health and crisis intervention support, and in multiple languages.
  • Open 24/7. Online chat via Telus website. You contact them to request a consultation with a counselor and they call you back the same day.

Crisis Connections (Seattle-area mental health support): 866.427.4747

  • 24-hour crisis line for people in the Seattle area. Call if you have concerns about urgent on- of off-campus mental health needs.

On-campus support

Husky Health
206.685.1011
Husky Health Center

Counseling Center
206.543.1240
401 Schmitz Hall


International support for students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad

UW International Emergency Assistance