Local · October 21, 2026
Mental Health Care for College Students in Austin: A Practical Guide
By Kathie Bolles, PMHNP-BC
College students in Austin have several layers of mental health support, from free campus counseling to community crisis services and private psychiatric practices. UT Austin students can use the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), which offers short-term individual counseling, groups, and psychiatric services, while ACC students can use free short-term counseling through ACC Mental Health Counseling. For ongoing, personalized psychiatric care, Mynd Works Psychiatry in Austin, TX offers psychiatric services and psychotherapy in person and by telehealth.
What mental health services do UT Austin students have?
The University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) provides assessment and referral, short-term individual counseling, group counseling, and psychiatric services to enrolled students, and it operates a 24/7 crisis line at 512-471-2255. UT also offers TimelyCare, a 24/7 virtual mental health service for students.
Campus services are an excellent first stop, and their scope is generally short-term, which is useful to understand when planning care across a full semester or year.
What do ACC students have access to?
ACC Mental Health Counseling offers free, confidential short-term individual counseling for enrolled students, in person or virtually, along with groups, workshops, and outreach, plus access to TimelyCare for 24/7 virtual support. ACC can also help connect students to community providers for longer-term care.
ACC does not provide crisis counseling and directs students in crisis to 988, 911, or the local 24/7 line at 512-472-HELP (4357). Knowing that boundary in advance makes it easier to act quickly if you or a friend need urgent help.
What community resources are available in Austin?
Integral Care, Travis County's local mental health authority, runs a 24/7 helpline at 512-472-HELP (4357), psychiatric emergency services, and outpatient clinics across Austin. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text at any hour.
For a broader view of where to turn, the guide to mental health resources in Austin covers crisis lines, community supports, and outpatient care in more detail.
When should a student consider private psychiatric care?
Campus counseling and community services cover a lot, but they are not the right fit for everyone. Private psychiatric care often makes sense when you want longer-term continuity with the same clinician, more flexibility in appointment length and scheduling, medication management with close follow-up, or care that continues through breaks and after graduation.
Students with co-occurring needs, such as ADHD, anxiety, or mood disorders, may especially benefit from a practice where evaluation and medication management happen under one roof.
How does psychiatric care at Mynd Works work for students?
Care starts with an initial evaluation: an unhurried conversation about history, symptoms, and goals, followed by an individualized treatment plan. Depending on need, that plan may include medication management, psychotherapy, or functional medicine nutrition, with appointments in person in Austin or by telehealth where clinically appropriate.
The concierge-style model is built around defined access and continuity with the same clinician, which fits students who want care that keeps up with them across semesters and locations.
How do I start?
You can request a consultation online or call Mynd Works Psychiatry at (512) 739-6566. The practice is located at 1301 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste A-138, Austin, TX 78746, and serves Austin and surrounding communities within approximately 50 miles.
Common questions
Can a college student see Mynd Works Psychiatry?
Yes, adult students are welcome to request a consultation. Care is individualized, and the initial evaluation is a good way to discuss what would be most helpful given your situation and schedule.
Can I continue telehealth appointments during breaks if I leave Austin?
Telehealth appointments are available where clinically appropriate, and care can often continue across semesters. You can discuss your specific plan during a consultation.
What should I do if I experience a crisis on campus?
Call or text 988, use your campus crisis line if you have one (UT students can call 512-471-2255), call Integral Care at 512-472-HELP (4357), or in an immediate emergency call 911. Campus counseling centers also handle urgent situations for enrolled students.
