The Mental Health Service at HUHS, in conjunction with the Bureau of Study Counsel, oversees the training and supervision of five undergraduate peer counseling groups and one graduate group of peer counselors. All five of the undergraduate peer counseling groups offer confidential hotline and drop-in counseling throughout the academic year; the graduate group offers a confidential hotline.
Room 13, the original peer counseling organization at Harvard, is open every night from 7 pm to 7 am. The office, in the Grays Hall basement, is always staffed by one male and one female undergraduate. Students call or drop in with a variety of questions and counseling needs. Room 13 has helpful information about Harvard procedures, roommate difficulties, alcohol, and other concerns.
Peer Contraceptive Counselors are a group of undergraduate women and men trained to answer basic questions about the efficacy and use of the major types of contraceptives. PCC provides information on pregnancy, sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, and how to access care at HUHS. In addition, PCC offers educational workshops to entering undergraduates and others. The office is located near the After Hours Urgent Care clinic. Telephone and walk-in hours are Sunday through Thursday, 7 pm to midnight.
Response is a peer counseling organization staffed by women undergraduates to respond to issues of rape, acquaintance rape, sexual harassment, and relationship violence. The staff has been trained to provide confidential counseling and information on issues of rape, incest, abuse, and harassment, both psychological and physical. Response welcomes people who are concerned about theses isssues to drop by and talk and/or browse through the Response library. Students may drop by the Lowell Basement, Room E-013, Sunday-Thursday from 9pm to midnight or call any night from 9pm to 7am.
Eating Concerns Hotline and Outreach is an undergraduate organization formed to address issues related to eating disorders at Harvard. ECHO offers confidential peer counseling services at its office in F Basement of Quincy House from 8 pm to 11 pm, Sunday through Thursday. The hotline is staffed every night from 8 pm to 8 am. ECHO counselors provide non-judgmental support and empathy for those who have eating problems or who have concerns and questions about roommates or friends who have eating disorders. ECHO members also sponsor educational and outreach programs throughout the year.
Contact is a group of undergraduate peer counselors providing confidential support, counseling, and education on issues of sexual orientation. Contact addresses the needs of straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students, and promotes understanding of and respect for difference. The undergraduate men and women who staff Contact have experience with coming out and being out issues and know a great deal about pertinent resources in the Harvard community. Contact is located in the basement of Thayer Hall. Hotline and drop-in hours are Thursday, Friday, and Sunday; from 8 pm to 1 am.
InCommon is a group of graduate and professional school students trained to offer confidential support and counseling to peers regarding such issues as relationship concerns, academic difficulties, and stress. The hotline hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8 pm-midnight.
