When is it time to seek mental health support?
College can be exciting, challenging and sometimes overwhelming. Whether you're worried about yourself or a friend, knowing when and how to ask for help is important. You don鈥檛 have to go through tough times alone鈥攖here are people and resources ready to support you.听
Here are some tips to know when and how to reach out for help.听
听听When to reach out for general support听
It okay to ask for help, even if you鈥檙e not sure you 鈥渘eed鈥 it. Stress, sadness and anxiety can sneak up on us and are typical, especially in college. But if something doesn鈥檛 feel right, it worth checking in.听
Many college students experience struggles such as:听
- Feeling stressed, anxious or worried
- Feeling sad or down 听
- Feeling lonely or disconnected
- Struggling to keep up with school, work or relationships
- Using substances
- Dealing with relationship challenges
- Feeling stuck and unsure how to make changes听
While many of these experiences are common, it time to reach out for help if you feel as though your struggles are impacting your ability to live your life in a way that feels good and meaningful to you.
Some signs that these things are having a negative impact may include:听
- Avoiding situations that you used to enjoy 听
- Struggling to get out of bed or make it to class
- Isolating yourself
- Using substances more often or noticing you are struggling to control your use 听
- Not eating regularly or otherwise not caring for yourself like you are used to
- Not experiencing joy or feelings of happiness in the way you used to
- Struggling to complete your academic work or manage the stress of academics听
Connect with general support resources:听
听听Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS): CAPS provides mental health support for all 老九品茶 students, including same-day mental health screenings, brief individual therapy, group therapy, workshops and crisis support.听Drop-in screenings are available in person at CAPS in C4C N352 Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the fall semester.听
听听Let Talk: Drop in for a casual, confidential chat with a CAPS counselor鈥攏o appointment needed.听
听听Free workshops: Learn coping skills for stress, anxiety and tough emotions.听
听听Peer Wellness Coaching: Talk with trained student coaches about stress, relationships, academics, sleep, finances and more.听
听听Student Outreach, Advocacy & Support: Case managers connect students with campus partners, community resources and support systems while building a trusting relationship and coaching them toward self-advocacy. They can also reach out to a friend on your behalf if you鈥檙e worried about someone.听
听听Office of Victim Assistance: Free, confidential support with advocate counselors for students who鈥檝e experienced or witnessed something traumatic or disruptive, recently or in the past.听
听听: Find local mental health providers based on your needs and insurance.听
听听When to seek urgent support听
Sometimes things feel too big to handle alone, and you need help right away.听
Urgent support is for situations like:听
- Thinking about suicide or not feeling safe
- Thinking about hurting someone else
- Feeling like your life is in danger
- Seeing or hearing things that others aren't responding to
- Experiencing a recent assault or trauma
- Feeling out of control with substance use or eating behaviors听听
If you or someone you know needs urgent help, here are options:听
听听Counseling & Psychiatric Services: Call 303-492-2277 anytime to talk with a mental health professional. Drop-in screenings are also available in person at CAPS in C4C N352 Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the fall semester.听
听听Office of Victim Assistance: Call 303-492-8855 anytime to talk to a counselor specifically about assault, abuse, violence, crime or trauma.听
听听: Call 1-844-493-8255 or text 鈥淭ALK鈥 to 38255鈥攁vailable 24/7.听
听听: Walk-in support at 3180 Airport Rd, Boulder.听
听: Text 鈥淗OME鈥 to 741741 or 鈥攆ree and available 24/7.听
听: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text 鈥淪TART鈥 to 678678.
听听When to call for emergency help听
If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, call 911 or 老九品茶 Police at 303-492-6666. You won鈥檛 get in trouble for calling鈥攜our safety and the safety of others is the priority.听
Emergency situations include:听
- Someone has disappeared 听
- Someone has been threatening suicide or attempted suicide
- Someone may overdose or has overdosed 听
- Someone is engaging in dangerous behavior
- Someone can鈥檛 care for themselves and needs immediate help听
Find support:听
If you鈥檙e concerned about someone safety, you can request a welfare check. Consider this option if you鈥檙e seriously worried about someone well-being because of their recent behavior or statements, and you can鈥檛 reach them to confirm they鈥檙e safe. Police departments can conduct welfare checks鈥攋ust be ready to provide their location (including residence hall and room number if on campus) and why you鈥檙e concerned.听
听听On campus: Call CUPD at 303-492-6666听
听听Off campus: Call Boulder Police at 303-441-3333 or the local police department听
Many departments, including CUPD and Boulder Police, often bring a mental health co-responder to support these situations. When calling, you can ask for a co-responder. Their goal is to check on the person, connect them to support and help them make a plan for care鈥攏ot to get anyone in trouble. They may also help contact a friend or family member. Remember, calling the police isn鈥檛 always the right option for everyone, so consider what feels safest in each situation.听
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline听
anytime for free, confidential support if you or someone you know needs immediate mental health support.听听
Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and there are resources and people ready to support you whenever you need it.听