After a year of sustained advocacy by the Student Association, GW has committed to the largest expansion of mental health resources in over a decade. Here is what is changing and how to access support.
What Is New
Starting this fall, the Colonial Health Center will implement several major changes:
- 40% more counseling staff — eight new counselors have been hired, reducing average wait times from three weeks to under one week.
- Same-day urgent appointments — students experiencing a mental health crisis can now be seen the same day, no appointment necessary.
- Peer Support Network — a new program training student volunteers to provide peer-to-peer support, listening, and resource navigation.
- Extended evening hours — counseling services now available until 8 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students with class or work conflicts during the day.
- Online scheduling — you can now book, reschedule, or cancel appointments through the Colonial Health Center portal instead of calling.
How to Access Counseling
Making your first appointment is the hardest step, and we want to make it as easy as possible. Here is the process:
- Go to the Colonial Health Center portal at health.gwu.edu and log in with your GWID.
- Select "Counseling Services" and choose "Initial Consultation."
- Pick a time that works for you. Same-day urgent appointments are marked separately.
- Complete the brief intake form — it takes about ten minutes and helps your counselor prepare for your first session.
Your first appointment is a consultation where you and a counselor discuss what you are experiencing and what kind of support would help. From there, you may be scheduled for ongoing individual therapy, group therapy, or referred to a specialized resource.
The Peer Support Network
Sometimes the easiest person to talk to is another student. The Peer Support Network is a new program that trains student volunteers in active listening, crisis response, and resource navigation. Peer supporters are not therapists — they are trained listeners who can help you process what you are feeling and connect you with professional resources if needed.
Peer support sessions are available by drop-in or appointment at three campus locations: Gelman Library (Room 430, Mondays and Wednesdays 4-8 PM), the Marvin Center (Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-7 PM), and the Mount Vernon Campus Student Center (Fridays 1-5 PM). All sessions are confidential.
If you are interested in becoming a peer supporter, applications open in September. Training takes place over four weekends and covers mental health first aid, active listening, boundaries, and self-care.
What to Do in a Crisis
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or GWUPD at 202-994-6111. For mental health emergencies, the Colonial Health Center offers 24/7 crisis support at 202-994-5300. You do not need an appointment for crisis support — someone is always available.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available 24/7. Call or text 988 from any phone. It is free, confidential, and available to everyone.
Why This Matters
The Student Voice Survey showed that over 60% of GW students experienced moderate to high stress levels last year, and nearly 40% reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. These numbers are not unique to GW — they reflect a national trend — but they told us that mental health had to be our top advocacy priority.
We spent a full year meeting with university leadership, presenting data, and pushing for concrete changes. The expansion announced this fall is a direct result of student advocacy. It proves that when students organize and speak up, the university listens.
You Are Not Alone
If you are struggling, the most important thing to know is that you are not alone and that asking for help is a sign of strength. Whether you reach out to a counselor, a peer supporter, a friend, or a crisis line, there are people who want to help. Your mental health matters, and the Student Association will keep fighting to make sure GW has the resources to support it.
