“Let’s Talk” program connects students with mental health support

MARCH 9, 2023

Student Wellness counselors at the University of Chicago are working to lower the barriers to entry for mental health programs.

“One of the most common questions we get is, ‘I've got this problem, but I'm not sure it's bad enough for me to seek counseling, is it?’” said Jessica Bychawski, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist with UChicago’s Let’s Talk program. “I always give the short answer: ‘Yes, absolutely.’”

Bychawski said many people think therapy is reserved for severe situations.

“From our viewpoint as therapists, there's no threshold at which you do or don't need counseling,” she said. “A counselor can help with both large and small issues.”

Let’s Talk, an anonymous drop-in individual counseling program that’s available to any UChicago student, is a good place to start. The program offers 15-20-minute sessions and consultations with Student Wellness therapists at various places across campus. Offered twice a week, it gives students the opportunity to talk through a specific problem or test out the therapy experience.

“The apprehension some students experience is not uncommon at all,” said Jerome Wilczynski, a clinical psychologist and licensed clinical professional counselor at UChicago Student Wellness. “The experience students have with me at Let’s Talk is very much like what it would be in formal counseling. If they want to take the next step, formal counseling will allow them to form a relationship with someone trained in providing a safe space where they can explore issues and find solutions together. No one is forced to talk about anything they do not want to discuss.”

Let’s Talk allows therapists to demystify and destigmatize the therapy experience – one of the goals of UChicago Student Wellness.

Bychawski has found that students who receive therapy often share their experiences, giving their peers more first-hand information about mental health services.

Both counselors agree that people who have been helped through therapy and speak openly about mental health can help connect others with mental health care.

“When people have worked through past difficulties and stressors, they are often freer to offer support to those in their communities who are struggling,” Wilczynski said. “This is a very significant aspect of why counseling is helpful, not just to the person who receives it, but also to others in the community, as many who have received counseling also encourage others to get the help they need.”

Individual access to mental health care is an important step toward building a community of care, support, and safety.

Taking the first step toward receiving care isn’t always easy, in part because of stigmas people may feel about mental health challenges. Wilczynski said that’s one reason why easy-to-access programs like Let’s Talk can make a big impact. 

“It is a slow effort,” Wilczynski said. “But one that is essential because helping the world starts with helping yourself first.”