This is a bafflingly bad description of mental health problems and counselling.<p>Mental health problems exist on wide spectrum of different types of from things like schizophrenia or bipolar or borderline personality disorder through to eating disorder, anxiety disorders, OCD, or depression.<p>Some of these are very treatable.<p>People with a mental health problem should be able to seek help from that problem without being inappropriately sent to hospital for an asessment.<p>In this example the professional could have checked OP&#x27;s understanding of the question.  Modern guidance is to avoid questions like &quot;do you intend to hurt yourself&quot; and ask more direct questions  such as &quot;do you self harm?&quot; and &quot;do you have thoughts of suicide? Do you plan to kill yourself?&quot;<p>A college counsellor is absolutely there to provide treatment and advice for the so-called &quot;mild to moderate&quot; end of mental illness.