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When is it time to seek mental health support?

Knowing how (and when) to seek out mental health support is important, whether you’re concerned about yourself or a friend. Here are some guidelines you can use to determine if you should seek emergency, urgent or general support for mental health concerns. 

When to seek general mental health support

Asking for help can be hard, especially if we’re not entirely sure we need it. While some mental health concerns may be obvious, others may be harder to accurately identify. For instance, believing that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed in school or at work may prevent some people from seeking support if it’s related to stress. 

Remember that everyone struggles sometimes, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Here are some examples of times when it may be a good idea to seek support or connect with resources on campus. 

General mental health support can be a great option if someone is: 

  • Having difficulty managing stress, worry or anxious thoughts 
  • Feeling down, sad or hopeless 
  • Feeling isolated or lonely 
  • Feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands (e.g., school, work, relationships, etc.) 
  • Looking to develop healthier coping skills or relationships 
  • Experiencing negative impacts from substance use 
  • Experiencing relationship difficulties (e.g., making or keeping relationships) 
  • Unsure how to make meaningful changes or address issues on their own 

If you are struggling with any of the mental health concerns listed above, be sure to check out the following resources for support. 

Resources for students

Student Support and Case Management (SSCM)

SSCM is here to help students identify issues and appropriate resources. They also work collaboratively with students to develop an action plan. This is a great option for those who would like someone to reach out to another student or friend directly for support. 

Let's Talk

Let’s Talk allows students to check in for an informal and confidential consultation with a counselor. 

CAPS provides weekly workshops that can help students develop healthy coping skills related to stress, anxiety and other painful or distressing emotions. All workshops are covered by the mental health fee. Join virtually by signing up online at MyCUHealth. 

AcademicLiveCare

AcademicLiveCare provides access to free online counseling, psychiatry, nutrition and medical appointments. Students can access services for free, regardless of their health insurance plan or coverage.  

*This program does not provide emergency or crisis services. 

If you are looking to connect with a local provider in your area, Thriving Campus can help you connect with a variety of providers based on specialization, needs and insurance. 

Peer Wellness Coaching

Peer Wellness Coaching is a free service available to students to help them set and achieve wellness goals. Peer wellness coaches are familiar with a variety of topics, including stress, relationships, academics, self-care, sleep, finances and more. 

OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term counseling services for students, staff and faculty who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic, disturbing or life-disrupting event. 

Resources for staff and faculty

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP)

FSAP provides a variety of free mental health services for CU Boulder staff and faculty, including workshops, support groups, same-day appointments, short-term counseling (including family and couples counseling) and more. Staff and faculty can take advantage of FSAP services without taking sick leave or paid time off. 

Wellness Workshops

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) provides free workshops to help staff and faculty find support and improve their wellness. Workshop topics include sleep, healthy eating, support groups, parenting, estate planning, homebuying, retirement planning and more. 

AcademicLiveCare

AcademicLiveCare provides access to free online counseling, psychiatry, nutrition and medical appointments. Staff and faculty can access services for free, regardless of their health insurance plan or coverage.  

*This program does not provide emergency or crisis services. 

If you are looking to connect with a local provider in your area, Thriving Campus can help you connect with a variety of providers based on specialization, needs and insurance. 

The Real Help Hotline provides access to professional counselors who can offer assistance finding local resources as well as immediate crisis counseling. This program is free, confidential and available to all employees 24/7 at 833-533-2428. 

OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term counseling services for students, staff and faculty who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic, disturbing or life-disrupting event. 

WorkWell

WorkWell helps oversee a variety of health and wellness programs that are aimed at supporting staff and faculty and fostering a sense of belonging on campus. You can get involved by attending classes, events and more. 

When to seek urgent mental health support

Mental health crises can be distressing and often require urgent, same-day support.  

Mental health crises can include when an individual: 

  • Has thoughts of suicide or are not sure how to keep themselves safe 
  • Has thoughts of doing serious harm to someone and may act on them 
  • Believes their life may be in danger 
  • Hears voices or sees things that no one else can hear or see 
  • Has recently been physically or sexually assaulted 
  • Has recently experienced an overwhelming loss or trauma 
  • Believes their alcohol or drug use is out of control 
  • Believes their eating (or lack of eating) has become unmanageable 

If you or someone you know needs urgent support, there are a variety of resources available on and off campus to help students, staff and faculty.

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

Students who need urgent, same-day support can call CAPS 24/7 at 303-492-2277 to speak with a triage specialist. Calling ahead allows providers to evaluate your concerns, so they can address them more quickly and effectively.  

*Available for students 

The Real Help Hotline provides access to professional counselors who can offer assistance finding local resources as well as immediate crisis counseling. This program is free, confidential and available to all employees 24/7 at 833-533-2428. 

*Available for staff and faculty 

Colorado Crisis Services is the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering residents mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. They are available 24/7 by phone and text.  

  • Call: 1-844-483-8255 
  • Text: “TALK” to 38255 

*Available for students, staff and faculty 

The Mental Health Partners Crisis Center is available to those in need of direct services or those seeking to help engage another person in services, whether the crisis is substance-use related, or psychiatric or both. They are available for drop-ins at their Boulder location. 

  • Address: 3180 Airport Rd, Boulder, CO 80301 

*Available for students, staff and faculty 

Crisis Text Line provides free, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need. They are available 24/7 by text or WhatsApp. 

  • Text: ‘HOME’ to 741741 
  • WhatsApp:  

*Available for students, staff and faculty 

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people. They provide 24/7 crisis counseling via phone, text and chat. 

  • Call: 1-866-488-7386 
  • Text: ‘START’ to 678678 
  • Chat:  

*Available for students, staff and faculty 

The Real Help Hotline provides access to professional counselors who can offer assistance finding local resources as well as immediate crisis counseling. This program is free, confidential and available to all employees 24/7. 

  • Call: 833-533-2428 

*Available for staff and faculty

When to seek emergency mental health support

If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911, CU Boulder Police (303-492-6666) or go to your nearest emergency department. It’s important to know that calling the police will not get you or the person you are calling about into any kind of trouble. 

Emergencies can include when an individual: 

  • Has disappeared, is at risk of harming themselves or others, or is threatening, talking about or making specific plans to commit suicide. If you are in the U.S., you can call 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7. 
  • Is experiencing excessive substance use, may be at risk of overdosing or is engaging in high risk or unlawful behaviors (e.g., driving under the influence) 
  • Requires immediate attention or intervention from mental health or healthcare professionals 
  • Is unable to care for themselves and cannot resolve the situation with the skills or resources available to them 

When calling for emergency assistance, be prepared to provide accurate information so that first responders can effectively intervene and support the person in need. Operators may ask you for details about the person you’re calling about, including their name, address, description, mental health history, substance use history, if they own any weapons and descriptions of the behaviors concerning you. 

Welfare checks

Welfare checks can be instituted by any police department if you’re concerned about the health, safety or welfare of someone. Be prepared to give the exact address (residence hall and room number if on campus) and the reason for your concerns. 

  • On campus: CUPD 303-492-6666 
  • Off campus: Boulder Police 303-441-3333 

CUPD response team

CU Boulder Police (CUPD) has teamed up with Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) and the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) to better address calls related to mental health crises and traumatic events. 

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7. You can call the Lifeline from anywhere in the United States to connect with local services. This Lifeline may also report your situation to emergency services if they believe you are in imminent danger of harming yourself or others. 

  • Call: 988