What services are offered?

If a student is experiencing stress or is struggling with a mental health diagnosis, the therapist, Candice Pennella, will be available to see them during “drop-in” hours, which will be held Wednesdays from 12:00 pm- 3:00 pm. During these times, students (or faculty/staff who are concerned about a student or who have a mental health-related question) may visit the therapist to talk about the stressors they have been experiencing or other mental health-related concerns. Based on the needs of the student, Candice may recommend options for helping that student, including the possibility of referring him or her into the community to appropriate psychological or psychiatric resources.

In addition to individual sessions and referral options, the therapist will also be available to engage in outreach or educational programs for staff, faculty, and students regarding a wide variety of mental health issues, stressors, and topics that pertain to a university campus community. Such topics include, but are not limited to, stress management, conflict resolution, recognizing the presence of mental health issues, substance abuse, and eating disorders.

An important clarification, however, about the therapist’s role at OU-C is to emphasize that she will not be able to respond to crises or emergencies when she is not on campus. That is, if a student needs immediate mental health intervention, such as in the case of thoughts or plans regarding harming oneself or someone else, he or she may speak with Candice only when she is available on campus. She will not be reachable for crisis, emergency, or individual counseling outside of her regularly scheduled day on campus.

During days and times that the therapist is not on campus, students and faculty/staff concerned about an immediate need should contact LaTonya Webb in Student Services at 740-774-7717. If Ms. Webb is not available, they may contact Scioto-Paint Valley Mental Health Center’s Intake and Information line at 740-775-1260 or their Crisis Line at 740-773-4357

Counseling Services-OU Chillicothe
Candice Pennella
141 Bennett Hall
(740) 774-7704 or (740) 262-0886