Eligibility of Services

BridgeValley Community and Technical College is pleased to provide currently enrolled students with short term counseling and referral services while enrolled at the college. Counseling services are free of charge to BridgeValley students. Counseling sessions consist of a short-term basis (9 sessions per semester). If it is determined that long-term counseling services are more appropriate to address your need(s), the BridgeValley counselor will provide a list of community resources.  Counseling appointments are made in one-hour increments. The actual length of time for a counseling appointment is 45 minutes. This allows the counselor time for documentation of the previous appointment, and for centering before the next appointment.

Once an application is complete, the BridgeValley counselor will contact you. As a student, you will have the option to choose TeleHealth Distance Counseling Support Services or a face-to-face session. In the event that college offices close due to emergency situations, you must utilize the TeleHealth/Distance Counseling Support service option.

Hours of Operation

Generally, Counseling Services are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM at the South Charleston Campus and Montgomery Campus. Hours are limited during breaks such as winter break and spring break. Appointments are recommended for all counseling sessions to be sure a counselor is available. However, the counselor will allow walk-ins if available. To set up an appointment with a counselor you may contact the number below:

• Office: 032 Building 2000
• Phone: 304.205.6706

Suicide Prevention

According to Ulifeline.org, suicide is “the act of deliberately taking one’s own life.” Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among college students. Suicide is a very serious subject and is preventable. The following are some of the warning signs of suicide: talking about wanting to die or kill oneself, talking about feeling hopeless or no reason to live, increasing the use of alcohol and/or other drugs, anxiety, agitation, sleeping too little or too much, showing rage, extreme mood swings, and others. Most people that attempt/commit suicide have an underlying mental health concern such as depression, anxiety, or substance dependence. If you or someone you know is experiencing some of these symptoms, BridgeValley is here to help!

If you feel unsafe and /or need immediate assistance, please contact 911 or visit your local emergency room.  the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1.800.273.TALK (8255), is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention and intervention resource that provides immediate assistance.  WV now has a 24 hours, statewide substance abuse call line 844-HELP4WV

Crisis text line - text START to 741-741 for confidential crisis help 24/7.

After Hours Emergencies

If you experience a mental health crisis after 7:00 p.m. on a weekday or over the weekend you may contact:

• 911 for immediate assistance
• Thomas Behavioral Health Connections (304) 766-3553 or 1-800-992-3010
• National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Help 4 WV: 1-844-HELP4WV (435-7498)
• REACH, The Counseling Connection 24HR Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)