Virtual CAPS Services

CAPS Virtual Services

• CAPS services are available in a variety of modalities at this time. 
• Call (814) 863-0395 to get started (M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• We will schedule you for an initial phone appointment to understand your needs and come up with a plan. 

In crisis or need immediate support?

• Call CAPS (M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.): 814-863-0395
• Call the 24/7 Penn State Crisis Line: 1-877-229-6400
• Use the 24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text "LIONS" to 741741
• Faculty, Staff, Student Leaders, & others who connect with students: Review and bookmark the Red Folder, a guide to help you recognize, respond, and refer students to the right resources

Virtual CAPS Chat

Now with the convenience of online scheduling!

CAPS Chat provides informal consultation for students with counselors from Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Meetings are free and no call to CAPS is necessary: same day scheduling is available online for both virtual and in-person meetings! Timeslots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Meetings are no longer than 30 minutes.

Simply follow online scheduling instructions on the CAPS Chat webpage to schedule your meeting during designated CAPS Chat hours.

Group Therapy Program

CAPS offers various ongoing therapy groups, 4-week skills clinics, and drop-in discussion/support groups, and some of these are offered via Zoom. The list of current offerings is updated each semester.

CAPS Virtual Library

This library includes informative videos about various mental health topics. Created for Penn State students by Penn State CAPS clinicians. For more CAPS videos, visit our playlist on YouTube.

WellTrack Boost

WellTrack Boost is available to students at any time of day, from any location. This platform features a wellness assessment that students can take one time, or on an as-needed basis, as well as regularly scheduled mood checks. These tools help students understand the activities associated with changes in mood and motivation, as well as to identify patterns in their daily activities and how they are associated with changes in emotional states.

WellTrack Boost also includes programs (called "Courses" that can be completed at a student's own pace with content focused on Resilience, Anxiety & Stress, Depression, Finding Purpose & Meaning,  Healthy Sleep, Inner Calm/Mindfulness, and Public Speaking. The Public Speaking program also includes a 3D simulation to replicate the opportunity to practice public speaking in a large classroom setting.

Featured coping resources (called "Tools") use aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help students manage distress. These include guided mindful meditation exercises, thought diary, activity scheduling, cognitive distortion psychoeducation, and more.

Students can download the companion WellTrack Boost app for iOS and Android. Free to Penn State students.

Life Hack Program

Life Hacks are free, lively drop-in gatherings focused on learning how to develop and enhance your connections with yourself & others. Open to all enrolled Penn State students.

Additionally, Life Hack Kits are step-by-step wellness packages designed to help you navigate and demystify some of the more perplexing parts of being human. Instructors and student organization leaders are encouraged to use these for extra credit/points.

Outreach Events

CAPS is dedicated to community education and prevention. We offer psychoeducational programs designed to reduce distress and increase wellbeing. Zoom-based outreach events can be requested for your group from one of the Student Wellness units at Penn State (UHS, Campus Recreation, Health Promotion & Wellness, and CAPS).

Training for The Red Folder (a guide for helping students experiencing distress) is available through a brief module on the Learning Resource Network. Learn more about The Red Folder initiative and participating in online training.

Thriving Campus

Thriving Campus is a tool for finding mental health providers in your community. 

Red Folder

Students may experience different levels of distress across various areas of their lives. The type and amount of distress they are experiencing will require different actions and resources.

The Red Folder initiative is a guide to help faculty, staff, student leaders, and others who interact with students to recognize, respond effectively to, and refer Penn State students experiencing distress. All faculty, staff, and administration are encouraged to review their physical folder or visit the Red Folder website.