Get Help
In an Emergency
If you have an emergency or are in immediate danger, injured,
or in a life-threatening situation, call 911.
Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Helplines and Other Resources
It might be hard to know what you need and where to find help. Talk to someone at your campus health or wellness center or check your college’s website for campus and local resources. When those services aren’t available or you don’t know where to go for help, try the services below.
Crisis Text Line
Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Crisis Text Line connects every texter with a Crisis Counselor. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY Helpline: 1-800-487-4889 (TTY)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers free and confidential information in English and Spanish for individuals and family members facing substance abuse and mental health issues. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
NAMI HelpLine
Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Find help in a crisis: text NAMI TO 741741
National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine staff and volunteers can help with mental health issues including: Symptoms of mental health conditions, treatment options, local support groups and services, education programs, helping family members get treatment, and programs to help find jobs. The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 am–6 pm, ET.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
Options For Deaf + Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889
Lifeline Chat: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
Lifeline ofrece 24/7, gratuito servicios en español, no es necesario hablar ingles si usted necesita ayuda.
Trevor Project
TrevorLifeline:1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)
TrevorText: Text START to 678678
TrevorChat: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/
A national confidential suicide hotline, chat, and text line for LGBTQ+ youth. Available 24/7.
Crisis Text Line
Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Crisis Text Line connects every texter with a Crisis Counselor. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY Helpline: 1-800-487-4889 (TTY)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers free and confidential information in English and Spanish for individuals and family members facing substance abuse and mental health issues. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Live Chat: https://hotline.rainn.org
En Español: https://rainn.org/es
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) provides, confidential support from a trained staff member, support finding a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault and offers services like sexual assault forensic exams, someone to help you talk through what happened, local resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery, referrals for long term support in your area, information about the laws in your community, and basic information about medical concerns. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Help/Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Live Online Chat: https://www.thehotline.org/help/
Highly-trained advocates are available 24/7/365 to talk confidentially with anyone experience domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
Loveisrespect.org
Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 or 1-866-331-8453 (TTY)
Text Line: Text “loveis” to 22522
Live Online Chat: https://www.loveisrespect.org/for-yourself/
Trained peer advocates are available 24/7/365 to offer education, support and advocacy to teens and young adults, as well as their concerned friends and family members who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. Also provides information about dating abuse to service providers, counselors, teachers and members of law enforcement.
National Eating Disorders Association
Helpline: 1-800-931-2237
Text Line: text “NEDA” to 741741
Online Chat: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/helplinechat
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline is available Monday-Thursday from 9AM to 9PM ET, and Friday from 9AM to 5PM ET. Contact the Helpline for support, resources and treatment options for yourself or a loved one.
Veterans Crisis Line
Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), press 1
Live Online Chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat
Text Line: 838255
Support for deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889
Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Trevor Project
TrevorLifeline:1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)
TrevorText: Text START to 678678
TrevorChat: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/
A national 24-hour toll free confidential suicide hotline and chat for LGBTQ youth
Anti-Violence Project
Helpline: 1-212-714-1141
Bilingual (English/Spanish) crisis intervention and support hotline for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Fenway Health
LGBT Helpline (25+): (888) 340-4528
Peer Listening Line (25 & Under): (800) 399-PEER
Help, information, referrals, and support for a range of issues. Talk to trained volunteers about safer sex, coming out, where to find gay-friendly establishments, HIV and AIDS, depression, suicide, and anti-gay/lesbian harassment and violence. Helplines offer lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning adults and young people a “safe place” to call for information, referrals, and support.
Free, confidential. Monday–Saturday, 6:00–11:00 pm.
GLBT National Help Center
LGBT National Youth Talkline (teens and young adults up to age 25): (800) 246-7743
LGBT National Talkline (all ages): (888) 843-4564
Online Peer-Support Chat: http://www.glbthotline.org/peer-chat.html
Serving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people by providing free and confidential peer-support and local resources.
Trans Lifeline
Helpline: 877-565-8860
Trans Lifeline is a national trans-led organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to the critical needs of our community with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education. The hotline is open 24/7. Operators guaranteed to be on call during the following hours:
- Pacific: 7:00am-1:00am
- Mountain: 8:00am-2:00am
- Central: 9:00am-3:00am
- Eastern: 10:00am-4:00am
- Alaska: 6:00am-12:00am
- Hawaii: 5:00am-11:00pm
Services on Campus
Many institutions offer assistance in a variety of areas. Here are some of the most common types of services. Check your campus website to see what your college or university offers that may be helpful to you.
- Health and Well-Being
- Residential Life Department
- Dining Services
- Academic and Career Services
- Specific Considerations
Health Center
Health services that may be offered:
-
Medical care
-
Preventive care
See also:
Accessing On-Campus Services
When and Where to Go for Treatment
Counseling Center
Mental health services that may be offered:
- Counseling services (sometimes a separate center/service)
- Group therapy
See Also: Managing Your Mental Health
Wellness Center
Wellness services that may be offered:
- Health and wellness education/promotion programs (examples include alcohol education, nutrition, stress management, safer sex, drug education)
See also: Making Wellness Part of Your Daily Life
CARE Teams
- CARE (Concern, Assessment, Response, Evaluation) teams provide support for students in distress (for those reporting other students or in need of assistance themselves)
- Often part of the Dean of Students or Student Affairs Office
- Composed of teams to provide comprehensive response
Fitness and Recreation Centers
- Exercise classes
- Stress relief practices
- Social and team activities
See also:
The Importance of Physical Activity
On-Campus Living Resources
- Resident assistant/advisor
- Living communities such as alcohol-free residence halls, honors housing
Off-Campus Living Resources
- Off-campus resources for housing
- Help finding a roommate
See also: Housing (on- and off-campus)
- Location and hours of on-campus dining facilities
- Dietary accommodations
- Food pantry or meal assistance
See also: Dining Options and Eating Well
Academic Assistance
- Tutoring and study help (some subjects may have their own centers)
- Crisis and counseling Help
- Study skills
- Academic advising
- Writing centers
- Computing/Technology centers
See also: Academic Resources and Asking for Help
Career Services
Many institutions offer career centers where you may find
- Resume development
- Career development services
- Internship opportunities
- Off-campus job opportunities
Disability Services/Accessibility Center
- Help with procedures to needed for accommodation consideration
- Disability services for students
- Help with accommodations (academic accommodations, housing requests, meal plan requests)
See also: Students with Disabilities
Office of Diversity
- Focusing on creating a diverse and inclusive campus
First-Generation College Students
- Office or department
- Workshops, clubs, seminars
LGBTQ+ Students
- Support office and resources
- Community connections
- Education
Non-Traditional Students
- Child care
- Family housing
- Financial aid
- Academic support services
Transfer Students
- Transfer assistance
- Housing assistance
Community College Students
- Insurance considerations
- Community health and wellness services
- Resources such as financial aid and child care
International Students
- Guidance, services and resources
- Health insurance requirement information
Veteran/Active Duty Military Students
- Benefit use assistance
- Guidance, services and resources
Online Students
- Campus resources
- Health insurance information
Students with Existing Diagnoses
- Disability Services/Accessibility Center
See also: Considerations for Specific Students