“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems. Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.”
block quote from Mental Health.gov
Need help now!
(Download a pdf of the mental health support information listed below.)
- Call 911!
- UHS Mental Health Crisis support Line is staffed 24/7
Call 608-265-5600 (option 9)
“Call UHS to speak with an on-call crisis counselor who will help address your most pressing concerns, assess your safety, and connect you with follow-up service needs. We care about you, and want you to get connected to the support you need.” - Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741; 24/7
“Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.” - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 800-273-8255 or 988 (starting on July 16, 2022)
“The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.” - Veterans Crisis Line
Call 800-273-8255 (TALK) (press 1); Text: 838255
“The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that connects veterans 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a trained responder. The service is available to all veterans, even if they are not registered with the VA or enrolled in VA healthcare.”
Need to see someone!
- UHS: Getting started: schedule a 20-minute Access Appointment 608-265-5600 (option 2)
“An Access Appointment is the entry point to services at Mental Health Services and is typically done over the phone.” - Counseling Psychology Training Clinic (CPTC)
“We’re a training clinic run by the UW–Madison Department of Counseling Psychology. If you’re a UW–Madison student or community member seeking high-quality, cost-efficient, and multiculturally competent psychological and mental health services, we’re here for you.” - The Dean of Students Office Drop In
Dean of Students Office Assistance Request Form
Photo by: Priscilla Du Preez
Self-guided resources
- Silver Cloud: pdf || sign up
“SilverCloud is an online, self-guided, interactive mental health resource that provides students with accessible cognitive behavioral interventions 24 hours a day. SilverCloud does not require a referral from a mental health or medical provider.” - YOU@Wisc
“Find tips and tools for everything from your mental and physical health, to friendships and finding balance. It’s all here at University of Wisconsin-Madison.”
Other resources
- National Alliance on Mental Illness-UW-Madison
“We are the National Alliance on Mental Illness at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a student organization dedicated to promoting mental health and fighting the stigma against mental illness through education, advocacy and support.”