The Center for Cadet Counseling offers free, confidential, individual counseling to help cadets address personal and interpersonal concerns or stressors.

Our approach is collaborative, developmental, and strengths-based which means that we know cadets possess a variety of strengths, resources, and abilities when they arrive for assistance.  Our goal is to help cadets capitalize on these strengths by developing new skills and insight to better navigate concerns in the future.

If you are unsure whether or not the Counseling Center services are the best fit for your needs, our staff would be happy to consult with you to discuss your individual situation.

Cadets requesting non-urgent assistance may call the office at 540-464-7667 – Monday to Friday during business hours (0800 – 1630) or email cadetcounseling@vmi.edu to schedule an appointment.

Cadets who are experiencing a mental health crisis and are in need of urgent assistance should come directly to the CCC to speak with a counselor during business hours (0800-1630) and directly to the infirmary after business hours to access the on-call counselor.

The CCC is a nonmedical facility. We do not automatically diagnose cadets with mental health disorders, and we do not bill insurance.  We do discuss diagnosis with students as appropriate and refer to community providers when needed. The CCC is fully accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services and adheres to the highest standards of ethical conduct as outlined by the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the internal governing policies of VMI.

 Crisis Hotlines

24-hour support for anyone who needs to talk to someone

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Crisis Text Line: 741-741
• Rockbridge Area Community Services Board: 1-855-222-2046
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• LGBTQ+ Hotline: (866) 488-7386
• Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) (800) 656-4673 or live chat: 
  https://www.rainn.org/
• Project Horizon: 540-463-2594

Helpful Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Managing Stress

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Taking care of your Emotional Health

National Alliance on Mental Illness

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR CADETS