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Resources for Students

Need a Referral?

Referrals are offered to students when their needs are beyond the role and/or scope of services available at the Counseling Center. At other times, students may simply prefer counseling off-campus. Here are some resources to help you find a therapist. The Counseling Center does not endorse, nor guarantee the quality of treatment received from any local, state, or national resources.

Find a Counselor

As a USI student, you have the opportunity to take one of our screenings anytime you want, which may help you decide if this is the right time to meet with a counselor to discuss your situation and receive assistance. If you didn't find what you are looking for, additional screenings are available here.

Do you want even more personalized information about your substance use and risk patterns? Then check out Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO.

Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO is an online, confidential survey about your alcohol use. By taking the assessment, you will get personalized feedback about your alcohol use, including:

  • Your personal risk patterns
  • Your individual level of alcohol tolerance
  • Your unique family risk factors
  • Strategies to keep you safer if you choose to drink
  • Resources available at USI and in the community

USI's Alcohol & Drug Prevention page is an excellent resource for information. We understand that many people want to "party" and the goal of this page is to help people have fun safely, reasonably, and responsibly should they choose to use. Here you will find:

  • Factual information about alcohol & marijuana
  • Information about alcohol & marijuana use on campus
  • Information about USI policies and legal penalties
  • Signs of alcohol poisoning and drug overdose
  • Information about USI's medical amnesty program that will limit the amount of trouble you may get in if you need to call for help
  • Information about the "Safe Ride" program that allows you to get a cab when you have no cash. 

Community resources for additional assistance:

  • Southwestern Behavioral Health: 812-473-3144
  • Deaconess Cross Pointe: 812-476-720
  • Brentwood Meadows: 812-858-7200
  • Adapt Counseling: 812-421-9900
  • New Visions: 812-422-6812
  • Counseling for Change: 812-491-2615
  • Al Anon/Alateen

Wellness focuses on positive health, developing a strong sense of well-being, and balancing the many aspects of one's life. More information about campus student wellness initiatives is on the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness website.

The Dean of Students website has information about USI meal assistance program, Swipe Out Hunger, and other local resources for students needing food resources.

Black Student Union (BSU)

"(This) organization extends the opportunity to grow and to learn in a supportive environment, promoting the recognition and involvement of African American students, and to make an impact on the decisions regarding students of the University community."

Hispanic Student Union/Latinos Unidos (HSU/LU)

"It is the mission of Latinos Unidos to promote the recognition and involvement of Hispanic and Latino students at the University of Southern Indiana. The LU intends to create a strong voice on campus to make an impact on the decisions regarding students at USI. The LU also encourages academic achievement and personal development among its membership. In addition, the LU sponsors and promotes programs to enhance and increase knowledge and appreciation of cultural diversity."

South Asian Student Association

"It is the mission of the South Asian Student Association to promote the recognition and involvement of South Asian students at the University of Southern Indiana. The organization intends to create a strong voice on campus to make an impact on the decisions regarding students at USI. 

The SAU shall also encourage academic achievement and personal development in leadership, time management, organizational and communication skills among its membership. In addition, the SAU will promote both academic and extra-curricular programs to enhance and increase the knowledge and appreciation of cultural diversity."

Fraternities & Sororities

Additional USI Resources

Multicultural Center

The Multicultural Center seeks to developing diversity awareness within students to build a bridge between college life and future multicultural experiences.

Religious Life

Religious Life provides religious guidance and worship opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. Their goal is to get the word out on ways to stay active in your faith life while at USI.

USI Student Group

Sexuality and Gender Alliance (S.A.G.A.) is a student organization founded for the purpose of promoting equality at USI and the surrounding community. Meetings (Every other Wednesday at 4 p.m. - Student Life Lounge in UC East) are open to GLBTQ students and straight allies.

Local/Community Resources

National

The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project has several excellent resources for LGBTQ youth, which include:

  • The Trevor Lifeline (866-488-7386). This is a free and confidential suicide prevention lifeline specifically designed for LGBTQ youth. Assistance is available 24/7.
  • TrevorChat & TrevorText provide professional one-on-one assistance to individuals not at risk for suicide.
  • Ask Trevor is an online question and answer forum for matters related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • TrevorSpace.org is a social networking site for individuals ages 13-24.

Sexual Assault, Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence, Harassment, & Stalking

USI is committed to  creating and maintaining an educational and work environment free of all violence, and in which all members of the USI community are treated with respect and dignity. More information is available below to learn more about the problems of sexual assault and stalking, to obtain information about coping, to learn about one's options after an assault, and to learn about how we respond as a campus community and as a society.

Institutional Equity office: Title IX, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any kind of sexually offensive act against another person, any verbally offensive demand or suggestion, or any intentional touching of another person's body without mutual consent. Sexual assault is about power and control - engaging in sexual acts on another person, without consent. Sexual assault removes the victim’s autonomy and ability to make a sexual choice – it is no longer sex! Sexual assault can occur to individuals of any age, race, class, gender, or sexual orientation.

Examples of sexual assault:

  • Rape
  • Any forced penetration - vaginal, oral, or anal - with a body part or object
  • Acts on a person who is not conscious or able to give consent
  • Indecent exposure
  • Direct or indirect threats  designed to force sexual activity
  • Coerced sexual activity
  • Sexual propositions (unwanted proposal to engage in a sexual activity)
  • Unwanted touching of an intimate part of another person, such as a sex organ, buttocks, or breasts
  • Use of intoxicants, including alcohol, which impair the victim's ability to give consent

What is Consent?

  • Clear, knowing, and voluntary agreement to participant in a sexual activity
  • Active, not passive; silence cannot be interpreted as consent
  • Words or actions can be used as long as they create mutually understandable,  clear permission regarding willingness to engage in sexual activity
  • Consent to one form of sexual activity cannot automatically imply consent to any other forms of sexual activity
  • Previous relationships or prior consent cannot imply consent to future sexual acts
  • One must be of legal age (at least 16 years old in state of Indiana)

Someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not be able to give consent. An assault can occur even if both parties have been drinking. If you are unsure about the situation, the best option is to avoid sexual contact.

What to Do if You are Assaulted

Healing from a sexual assault can be an empowering process in which you reclaim power and control over your life. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office encourages anyone who has experienced an assault to make an appointment to discuss strategies and techniques to actively heal.

Anyone who has been assaulted has a variety of choices. It is important for you to know that you have control over what you do if you are assaulted.

    • They will collect evidence, perform a physical exam, treat for possible STD’s, and offer counseling referrals.
    • Try not to shower, change clothes, wash your hands, etc. if you think you may want evidence collected.
    • You are not required to file criminal charges if you seek medical care.
    • Specialized Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE Nurses) are available to treat you. These services are free in Indiana.
  • Please also seek out counseling, support, and advocacy at USI’s CAPS. Support is also available at the Albion Fellows Bacon Center or the YWCA - both of these community agencies specialize in working with survivors of sexual assault.
  • It is up to you to decide who you tell about what happened. Reporting acts of sexual violence to a USI affiliated employee may result in an investigation of the circumstances. However, information shared with CAPS is kept confidential.

Helping a Friend

  • Make sure they are safe. If not, get them to a safe place.
  • Listen, believe, and do not judge.
  • Help them to understand that they are not to blame.
  • Help them organize their thoughts, but let them make the decision about how to proceed.
  • Explain that seeking medical attention is very important if the assault was recent. There may be injuries of which they are unaware.
  • Encourage your friend to get counseling/professional support.
  • Understand that every victim is different. Your friend may exhibit shock, denial, rationalization, depression, guilt, fear, anxiety, and anger. All are normal emotions.
  • Deal with your own feelings. Sexual assault impacts loved ones and you need to heal as well.

What Can I Do to Stop Sexual Assaults

  • We can all listen to people who have experienced sexual assault and learn from their experiences.
  • Reflect. Do we engage in abusive and controlling behavior and how can we change?
  • Use inclusive, non-sexist language.
  • Confront sexist, racist, homophobic, and any other bigoted remarks or jokes.
  • Don’t fund sexism. Don’t purchase magazines, rent movies, or buy music that portrays women in sexually degrading or violent ways.
  • Support candidates for political office at every level, from student government to the President of the United States, who are committed to the full social, economic, and political equality of women; oppose those who are not so committed.
  • Propose and/or support curriculum changes, from grade school through college, that support understanding and equality, while eliminating attitudes that support sexism and sexual violence.

If we want a culture that does not tolerate sexual assault,
we all need to be part of the solution!

Resources

Local Hospitals

Counseling and Support

Crisis Line: 812-422-7273 (answered 24 hours/7 days a week). The Albion Fellows Bacon Center offers emotional support for victims, safe and protected housing (or assistance in finding housing) if you're not safe, and assistance and support in dealing with the Criminal Justice System. They provide information and referrals, and all calls are confidential

      • YWCA (phone: 812-422-1191)

The YWCA provides shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.

      • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online

Reporting

Online Resources

Interpersonal (Domestic) Violence

Interpersonal violence (IPV) is a pattern of violent behavior (including emotional, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse; financial control; and stalking) against another individual. Interpersonal violence involves the abuse of power and control and can occur between family members, friends, or romantic partners. Romantic partners may be married or not; heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual; living together, separated, or dating.

Types of Violent Behavior:

  • Emotional Abuse - Manipulation; withdrawing affection or attention; and/or intimidation
  • Verbal Abuse - Name calling, yelling, ridicule, and/or threats
  • Physical Assault - Hitting, pushing, or shoving; breaking/harming belongings and/or property; mistreatment of a pet
  • Sexual Assault/abuse - Unwanted or forced sexual activity, molestation, unwanted sexual jokes/comments 
  • Financial Abuse - Restricting access to money or requiring that he/she be present when money is spent
  • Stalking - Repeated unwanted attention, harassment, and/or contact
  • Are in an Unhealthy Relationship?
  1. Do you feel controlled or intimidated by a family member, friend, or romantic partner?
  2. Do you feel as if no one else would like you if your family member, friend, or romantic partner didn’t? 
  3. Does your friend, family member, or romantic partner ever snoop into your personal belongings and/or violate your privacy? 
  4. Does your family member, friend, or romantic partner insult you, call you names, or make you feel stupid or unworthy? 
  5. Does your friend, family member, or romantic partner ever pretend that he or she is doing you a favor by staying with you? 
  6. Has a family member, friend, or partner ever hit, slapped, pushed, or kicked you?
  7. Has your friend, romantic partner or family member ever damaged or broken your personal belongings? 
  8. Are you afraid of your family member, friend, or romantic partner losing his or her temper? 
  9. Has your romantic partner, friend, or family member ever pressured you sexually? 
  10. Have you altered your normal activities so that you won’t upset your family member, partner, or friend?

If you can answer “yes” to one or more of these questions, you may be in an unhealthy relationship.

What You Can Do if You are in an Unhealthy Relationship

Anyone who has experienced violence needs to feel they have choices. It is important for you to feel that you have control over what you want to do after you are assaulted.

  • You can report incidences of violence to the Office of Public Safety, local law enforcement, or the Dean of Students Office.
  • Please seek out counseling, support, and advocacy at USI’s Counseling and Psychological Services office. Support is also available at the Albion Fellows Bacon Center or the YWCA. Both of these community agencies specialize in working with survivors of interpersonal violence.
  • It can be helpful to document all instances of violence (time, what happened, where it happened, names of witnesses, etc.).
  • Collect and maintain all evidence such as voicemails, text messages, emails, letters, screen shots of Facebook or other internet pages (not just bookmarks), and photos of injuries and destroyed property.
  • Have a safe place to go if relocation becomes necessary.
  • Make sure to have some necessities (such as a back up set of keys and cash) easily accessible.

Safety

If you feel unsafe:

  • On campus - Contact USI Public Safety (812/492-7777)
  • Off campus - Contact either USI Public Safety (812/492-7777) or local law enforcement (911).

Ask yourself:

  • What makes you feel physically safe when you are alone? What are some things you can do to feel physically safe in your room?
  • Who helps you feel safe and why? What do they need to know about you and about what has happened to help you feel safe?
  • How can you establish some boundaries so that you feel physically safe in the community?

Resources

Albion Fellows Bacon Center (Helpline available 24/7: 812/422-5622)

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

U.S. Department of Justice: Office of Violence Against Women

YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter