Don’t forget to take care of your mental health!

For many students, transitioning to college and adjusting to a new environment can be stressful. It can be overwhelming to manage coursework, relationships with friends and family, and life outside of school, as well as to be on your own for the first time. Taking care of your mental health is extremely important but is often neglected when you are busy. There are services, resources, and support available.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed, or are having thoughts of suicide:

  • If you are in crisis, call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
  • Text ‘Got5U’ to 741-741 for 24/7 texting support with a trained counselor about suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship problems, or domestic violence.
  • The Trevor Project provides culturally competent services to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community. Call 866-488-7386 or text ‘Trevor’ to 1-202-304-1200.
  • Contact your local campus counseling and/or health center to speak with a mental health professional.

The following is a list of things you can do to improve your mental health:

  • Seek help by reaching out to any of the services mentioned above.
  • Call a friend or family member that you are comfortable with.
  • Get sunshine and exercise!
  • Keep a journal. This can help cope with what’s on your mind.
  • Sleep. It is recommended to get around 8 hours of sleep a night.
  • Eat properly with a well-balanced diet.
  • Keep doing what you enjoy.

Safety through your mobile device

A Friend Asks provides tools and information for you or your friends. It can be downloaded on your Android or Apple iPhone.

Stanley-Brown Safety Plan is a list of coping strategies and social supports that people can use when they are in a suicidal crisis or very distressed.

Other Resources

The JED Foundation is an excellent resource for mental health information and also offers several Signature Programs such as:

  • ULifeline for online resources and wellness tips
  • Half of Us to find ways to get help and feel better if you or someone you know is struggling
  • Set To Go for the skills and tools needed to get emotionally ready for college
  • Seize the Awkward for stories and advice on how to talk to a friend who is struggling

Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health provides information about mental health during students’ college years.

Visit The State University of New York’s LGBTQ campus resource centers and student unions on 20 affiliated campuses.

Active Minds is a nonprofit organization that supports mental health awareness and education for students. Does your college or university have an Active Minds chapter on campus? Do you want to start one? If so, visit Active Minds to learn more!

We know student life can be stressful and we want to offer ways to help you manage that stress. View our stress management tips for students to learn more.