Many students access some form of counseling service during their stay at Harvard. Some of these organizations work with specific academic or personal concerns while other counseling groups are available to discuss anything you might want to talk about without requiring continued attendance. All of the personal counseling services are completely confidential. If seeking help at a formal counseling center is uncomfortable for you, there are informal peer-support services or hotlines that you can access.

University Health Services

For students who are on the Harvard Student and Affiliate Health Plan, the University Health Services (HUHS) staff offers help and guidance with a variety of adjustment issues. Since family and close friends from one's home country are not around, it may be helpful to consult a mental health professional when dealing with issues of adjustment, depression, or simply feeling overwhelmed. HUHS also offers workshops, peer and group counseling, and other resources to students through Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

CAMHS Cares Hotline and TimelyCare

The CAMHS Cares line 617-495-2042 is a support line that operates 24 hours a day/7 days a week for Harvard students who have mental health concerns, whether they are in immediate distress or not, on-campus or elsewhere.

At all times, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, students can follow the prompts to speak directly with a CAMHS Cares Counselor about an urgent concern or if they just need to talk to someone about a difficult challenge or mental health issue they are facing. Students can call about any concern - it does not have to be an emergency.

TimelyCare is a virtual telehealth and wellbeing platform available to Harvard students who have paid the Student Health Fee. It offers access to telehealth counseling sessions, peer-to-peer support, health coaching, and wellness tips.

Center for Wellness and Health Promotion

The mission of the Center for Wellness and Health Promotion is "to create a Harvard community where all members value wellbeing. We cultivate individual and collective growth through educational experiences that develop and enhance holistic health." The Center offers a wide range of workshops, services, and classes available to all Harvard community members (including family members). Schedule a massage or acupuncture appointment; try one of their exercise, meditation, or yoga classes.

Asian International Students Support Group

The Asian International Students Support Group is brought to you by Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and provides a safe space for Asian students of all ethnicities to come to share their experiences and concerns, find support, and learn skills and strategies to help them manage in a time of uncertainty and change. 

Please contact Wenhui Yang, LMHC with your Harvard ID number for more information and to obtain the Zoom link.

Harvard Chaplains

Harvard Chaplains are a professional community of more than 40 chaplains representing many of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, united in their commitment to serving the spiritual needs of the students, faculty, and staff of Harvard.

The Vivian Allen International Student Emergency Funds

The Vivian B. Allen Fund provides emergency funds to full-time financially needy international students. The Fund is not a regular financial aid source, but provides emergency assistance to students. Examples of how the fund might be used include payment of uninsured dental expenses or travel grants for family emergencies. Eligible students must contact the Financial Aid Office at their schools for further information and application forms.