Mental Health and Wellness

Southern Union is taking significant steps to address the mental health and wellness needs of its students and community. With the growing demand for mental health and wellness services, SU offers support programs and provides students with access to additional resources.

Crisis Hotlines:

Suicide Prevention Lifeline - (800) 273-8255
Domestic Violence - (800) 650-6522
Sexual Assault - (334) 264-0123


Victim Resources:

Available Resources by Campus:

Opelika Campus:

Southern Union Police Department:
Randy Burroughs, Assistant Chief of Police
Office: (334)745-6437 Ext. 5523
Cell: (334)324-3631
Email: rburroughs@suscc.edu
Evening: (334)328-9392

Opelika Police Department:
(334) 705-5200

Mental Health and Counseling Resources:

  • East Alabama Mental Health
    Opelika, AL
    Phone: (334) 742-2700
  • Counseling Solutions of East Alabama
    Opelika, AL
    Phone: (334) 444-0754

  • EAPS - East Alabama Psychiatric Services
    Opelika, AL
    Phone: (334) 821-0238

  • Pathways Professional Counseling
    Opelika, AL
    Phone: (866) 991-6864

  • Wellspring Counseling Center
    Opelika, AL
    Phone: (334) 741-8007

  • Family Counseling Associates
    Opelika, AL
    Phone: (334) 749-0201

  • Auburn Counseling Services
    Opelika, AL
    Phone: (334) 740-2529

Addiction Rehabilitation:

  • Opelika Addictions Center
    2300 Center Hill Dr
    Phone: (334) 742-2130
  • Bradford Health Services - The Reprieve
    401 S 9th St
    Phone: (866) 977-7158
    Open 24 hours

Valley Campus

Southern Union Police Department:
Randy Burroughs, Assistant Chief of Police
Office: (334)745-6437 Ext. 5523
Cell: (334)324-3631
Email: rburroughs@suscc.edu
Evening: (334)328-9392

Valley Police Department:
(334) 756-5200

Mental Health and Counseling Resources:

  • East Alabama Mental Health
    Valley, Alabama
    Phone: (334) 756-4117

  • OD Alsobrook Center
    Valley, AL 36854 
    Phone: (334) 756-4117

  • Valley Health System (Mental Health & Emergency Services
    Phone: (800) -VALLEY -1

Wadley Campus

Southern Union Police Department:
Jimmy Holmes, Chief of Police
Office:(256) 395-2211 Ext. 5823
Cell: (334) 328-4743
Email: jholmes@suscc.edu
Evening Phone: (334)328-9793

Wadley Police Department:
(256) 395-2261

Mental Health and Counseling Resources:

  • Cheaha Mental Health Center
    Roanoke, AL
    Phone: (334) 863-2518
  • Randolph County Health Department
    Roanoke, AL
    Phone: (334) 863-8981

DISCLAIMER: The counseling resources contains a listing of local services and it up to person(s) needing these services to chose the service that they feel best meets their needs. Southern Union CANNOT guarantee the quality of service provided by these companies.

Mental health support now. 

Southern Union is excited to announce a new partnership with Uwill, the leading student mental health and wellness platform. This collaboration provides our students and employees with free, immediate access to teletherapy, crisis support, and a comprehensive range of wellness programs, all through Uwill's user-friendly online platform.

How to Access Teletherapy:

  • Create Your Profile: Start by setting up your profile on Uwill.
  • Choose Your Therapist: Select a therapist based on your individual preferences, including availability, gender, language, and ethnicity.
  • Schedule at Your Convenience: Choose a time that works for you, with options available during the day, night, and weekends.

Privacy and Confidentiality: Rest assured that Uwill is committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy, security, and confidentiality.

24/7 Crisis Support: For those experiencing a mental health crisis, Uwill offers 24/7/365 support. Help is just a call away at (833) 646-1526. For medical emergencies, please dial 911.

On-Demand Wellness Programming: Uwill users can also explore a variety of wellness options, including yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and more, all available on-demand through the platform's intuitive interface. Simply select "Wellness" from the left navigation menu to begin. These programs are designed to help you find focus and balance throughout the semester and serve as a valuable complement to therapy.

Southern Union is proud to partner with Uwill to provide these essential resources, supporting the mental health and well-being of our community. For more information about Uwill, click the link below:

About Uwill

If this is an emergency dial 911    bison care logo

BisonCARE Intervention and Referral Request Form

Mission Statement

The BisonCARE Team (Communicate, Assess, Refer, Educate) is committed to maintaining individual and overall faculty, staff, and student safety and well-being through pro-active and collaborative prevention, assessment, and intervention.

Purpose

The BisonCARE Team helps find solutions for students experiencing academic, social and crisis situations including mental health concerns. Members of the college community can report a concern for a student who might benefit from services. We review these reports to understand each student issue and the on- and off-campus resources that may guide them to success.

The BisonCARE Team steps in to connect students with relevant campus resources and outside agencies. Most times, we may need to communicate with the reporting party to help accurately assess the needs of the student. The BisonCARE Team will also outreach to the student to understand his/her situation and develop a plan of action leading towards his/her success.

Southern Union Contact Information:

If this is an emergency dial 911

Southern Union State Community Campus Police:
Wadley Campus
Jimmy Holmes, Chief of Police

Office:(256) 395-2211 Ext. 5823
Cell: (334) 328-4743
Email: jholmes@suscc.edu
Evening Phone: (334)328-9793

Opelika, Valley, and Downtown Campuses
Randy Burroughs, Assistant Chief of Police

Office: (334)745-6437 Ext. 5523
Cell: (334)324-3631
Email: rburroughs@suscc.edu
Evening: (334)328-9392

Tips for supporting your Health and Wellness

  • Prioritize Sleep. Aim for seven or eight hours of quality sleep each night. Create a calming bedtime routine and make your room a sleep-friendly space.
  • Stay Active. Exercise boosts both physical and mental health—and it doesn’t take much to make a difference. For example, a 15-year study of more than 55,000 Americans found running just five to 10 minutes a day at a slow pace significantly reduced risks for all causes of death and could even extend a person’s life by several years. Find an activity  you enjoy and incorporate it into your week, even if it’s just a 10-minute workout.
  • Eat a Balanced Diet. Think of food as fuel. It can make a substantial difference in how you perform academically. Preparing meals on Sundays or keeping grab-and-go snacks like nuts and fruit on hand makes eating healthy in college achievable.
  • Practice Mindfulness. Mindfulness helps reduce stress and keeps you grounded. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer quick meditation sessions perfect for busy students.