Personal Wellness Resources
This page is designed to give you some resources to community outreach items available in Cass County and the surrounding area. This is not an exhaustive list. There may also be additional resources available. While we strive to keep the information as up to date as possible, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any of the resources below.
Cass and Berrien counties participate in the 211 resource line through the United Way. You may contact them via the 211 website or by calling 844-875-9211 from any phone to be connected with a full listing of resources in your area.
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Sexual Assault, Stalking, Domestic and Dating Violence
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services (24 hours)
Phone: 269-783-8880 (x8880 on campus phones)
Website: https://www.dasasmi.org
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services (DASAS) provides services in Cass and St. Joseph Counties in Michigan. DASAS provides advocacy, emergency shelter, and support groups for victims of Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence.
Sexual Assault Hotline
Phone: 855-VOICES4 (855-864-2374)
Survivors of sexual assault and their friends and family may call the toll-free Sexual Assault Hotline provided by the state of Michigan for confidential support and resources. The hotline is staffed 24/7 by professional crisis counselors with specialized training in crisis intervention, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, victim's rights, health options, and Michigan law. Hotline staff can help connect victims with community-based sexual assault programs that offer additional counseling, advocacy, and support.
United Way of Southwest Michigan
Phone: 844-875-9211 or 269-982-1700
Website: https://www.uwsm.org/
Dial 2-1-1 Website: https://www.mi211.org/
2-1-1 information and referral service and crisis intervention for the following counties in Michigan: Allegan, Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren.
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Counseling and Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Support
Asking for help isn't always easy. Free teletherapy—one-on-one counseling sessions over Zoom—is available to SMC students. It takes five minutes to register, select a counselor, and book your free session using any device with internet access. It's discreet, flexible, and safe. Learn more and register here.
You may also contact any of the following organizations for assistance:
Woodlands Mobile Crisis Team at 760-847-6000.For emergencies, call 911.
Woodlands Behavioral Health Care (24-hours)
Phone: 800-383-0335
Website: http://www.woodlandsbhn.org
Woodlands is the Cass County Community Mental Health Agency. They provide many services including a 24-hour crisis support hotline.
The ARK (Kalamazoo)
Phone: 800-873-8336
The Ark is physically located in Kalamazoo but serves youth and their families in nine counties across southwest Michigan. The Ark Shelter is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is always available via the crisis line (above). The Ark works with runaway youth, homeless youth, and youth in crisis as well as their families.
United Way of Southwest Michigan
Phone: 844-875-9211 or 269-982-1700
Website: http://www.uwsm.org/
Dial 2-1-1 Website: https://www.mi211.org/
2-1-1 information and referral service and crisis intervention for the following counties in Michigan: Allegan, Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Phone: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Website: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Since its inception, the Lifeline has engaged in a variety of initiatives to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention.
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Substance Abuse
Woodlands Behavioral Health Care (24-hours)
Phone: 800-323-0335
Website: http://www.woodlandsbhn.org
Woodlands is the Cass County Community Mental Health Agency. They provide many services including a 24-hour crisis support hotline.
Southwest Michigan Area Narcotics Anonymous
Phone: 800-230-4085
Website: https://michigan-na.org/southwest-michigan-area/
Southwest Michigan Area NA provides meetings in places all over southwest Michigan including Dowagiac and Niles. A full schedule of meetings is available on their webpage.
Western Michigan Area Assembly Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: 269-281-4939
Website: https://www.southwestmichiganaa.org/
This site contains information about Alcoholic Anonymous meetings throughout southwestern Michigan including Dowagiac and Niles.
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Sexual Health
Community AIDS Resources and Education
Phone: 269-927-2437
Webpage: http://caresswm.org
CARES provides free HIV/AIDs testing as well as support and life management programs for individuals with HIV/AIDS.
Cass County Health Department
Phone: 269-445-5280
Website: https://www.vbcassdhd.org
Provides STI and HIV testing and treatment, birth control and pregnancy testing. Income-based fees; nobody refused service.
United Way of Southwest Michigan
Phone: 844-875-9211 or 269-982-1700
Website: https://www.uwsm.org/
Dial 2-1-1 Website: https://www.mi211.org/
2-1-1 information and referral service and crisis intervention for the following counties in Michigan: Allegan, Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren.
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Veteran's Resources
Veteran's Crisis Hotline
Phone: 800-273-8255
Webpage: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/Benton Harbor VA Medical Center (Community Based Output)
115 W. Main Street
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Phone: 269-934-9123Battle Creek VA Medical Center
5500 Armstrong Road
Battle Creek, MI 49015
Phone: 616-966-5600South Bend VA Clinic (Community Based Outpatient Clinic)
333 W Western Avenue
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: 574-299-4947Goshen VA Clinic (Community Based Outpatient Clinic)
2014 Lincolnway E #3
Goshen, IN
Phone: 574-534-6108 -
Pregnancy
Students who are pregnant have specific rights under Title IX of the United States Education Amendments of 1972. Students are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator for students, Director of Security and Conduct Lyndon Parrish, at lparrish@swmich.edu or 269-782-1321. The Department of Education also has a website that can assist you:https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.html
Other organizations that can assist pregnant students with financial or physical needs:
Cass County Health Department
Phone: 269-782-0064
Website: https://www.vbcassdhd.org
Income-based fees, nobody refused serviceBerrien County Health Department
Phone: 269-927-5623
Website: http://www.bchdmi.org/278/Health-DepartmentUnited Way of Southwest Michigan
Phone: 844-875-9211 or 269-982-1700
Website: https://www.uwsm.org/
Dial 2-1-1 Website: https://www.mi211.org/
2-1-1 information and referral service and crisis intervention for the following counties in Michigan: Allegan, Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren.