UHCL to offer free community mental health screenings Oct. 9
The University of Houston-Clear Lake Psychological Services Clinic will offer free mental health screenings to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, in recognition of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10.
The screenings are intended to help participants identify possible signs of mental health concerns and determine whether additional support or services may be appropriate. Adults may participate, as well as adolescents whose parent or guardian is present to provide written consent.
Screenings take approximately 20 to 30 minutes and include a brief interview and rating scales. Based on the results, clinic staff may provide participants with informational resources, recommendations or referrals for additional services.
Appointments are not required but are requested and may be scheduled by calling the clinic at 281-283-3330. Screenings will take place at the Psychological Services Clinic in the Arbor South Building on the UHCL campus, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. A voucher for free parking will be available to participants who park in designated visitor spaces in front of Arbor South.
“Mental health screenings can provide people with an important first step in understanding what they may be experiencing and whether additional support could be helpful,” said James Upright, Ph.D., director of the Psychological Services Clinic. “For many people, knowing where to begin can be one of the barriers to seeking care.”
The free screening event reflects the clinic’s broader role as a community mental health resource. The PSC provides psychological evaluations and therapy services to UHCL students and members of the surrounding community, with fees structured on a sliding scale to make services more affordable and accessible.
Upright said the clinic often serves individuals and families who may be uninsured, underinsured or seeking lower-cost options for psychological services. The clinic also provides a local resource for residents in the southeast Houston and Bay Area region who might otherwise need to travel farther for care.
“We want people in this community to know there is an accessible mental health resource here at UHCL,” Upright said. “The clinic allows us to serve individuals and families while also giving our graduate students meaningful, supervised clinical experience as they prepare to enter the mental health workforce.”
Services at the PSC are provided by graduate students studying clinical psychology and school psychology under the direct supervision of licensed UHCL faculty and staff.
Upright said the clinic sees a wide range of concerns among children, adolescents and adults, including anxiety, depression, attention and learning concerns, developmental and social-communication concerns, and stress associated with major life circumstances and caregiving responsibilities.
For individuals who may be unsure whether their experiences warrant additional care, a screening can help provide information and direction.
“Sometimes the most important thing a screening can do is help someone recognize that what they are experiencing is worth paying attention to,” Upright said. “From there, we can help connect them with appropriate services and resources.”
Individuals who require an accommodation to participate should contact the clinic in advance at 281-283-3330 or uhclpsc@uhcl.edu.