Mental Health Resources for College Students

College can be an exciting and exhilarating experience, but it can also be lonely, stressful, and overwhelming. It’s a time of new freedoms, but also of new pressures. If you are struggling with your mental health, know that you are not alone. According to one recent study, approximately 1/3 of college students are wrestling with mental illness. The good news is that there are resources out there for you. 

The most common mental health issue college students face today is anxiety, but depression, relationship problems, suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol use, and eating disorders are also common concerns. People with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder often experience their first symptoms in their late teens or early twenties. You might be surprised to hear just how common experiences of stress, anxiety, and mental illness are in college. Stanford University’s Resilience Project collects stories of college students talking about how they’ve failed classes and struggled with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and much more. You can watch their videos here. 

College can also be a time for you to explore your sexual orientation, gender identity, or other aspects of who you are, which can lead to difficult decisions about how to navigate relationships with friends and family. The Trevor Project has a helpful guide if you’re thinking about coming out. 

If you are dealing with any of these changes and challenges, your campus health center may be a good place to start. At many colleges and universities, the campus health center offers free or discounted counseling services, and many even have a stand-alone counseling center. Ask your health center, counseling center, or student affairs office about peer support groups as well. 

At UpStreet, we offer free online therapy for people from 12 to 22. You can also drop by our chat service and talk to a member of our team any time Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or on the weekend from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. We’re here for you whether you’re looking for therapy or just need a stranger to talk to for a few minutes. 

Other resources in the Pittsburgh area:

• Resolve Crisis Network: 1-888-796-8226
• Carlow University
• Counseling Services: https://www.carlow.edu/student-life/health-wellness/counseling-services/
• Phone number: 412-578-6474
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Counseling & Psychological Services: https://www.cmu.edu/counseling/
• 24/7 number: 412-268-2922
• CMU-recommended local resources: https://www.cmu.edu/counseling/resources/index.html
• Chatham University
• Counseling Center: https://chatham.edu/student-experience/health-wellness/index.html 
• Phone number: 412-365-1282
• Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)
• Counseling Services: https://www.ccac.edu/student-services/counseling.php
• Phone number: 412-369-3614
• Duquesne University
• Counseling Services: https://www.duq.edu/life-at-duquesne/health-recreation-and-counseling/counseling-services
• Phone number: 412.396.6204
• Wellbeing Resources: https://www.duq.edu/life-at-duquesne/health-recreation-and-counseling/counseling-services/wellbeing-resources
• La Roche University
• Counseling & Health Services: https://www.laroche.edu/student_life/counseling_and_health_services/ 
• Point Park University
• University Counseling Center: https://www.pointpark.edu/studentlife/healthandstudentservices/university-counseling-center/index 
• Phone number: 412-392-3977
• Robert Morris University
• Counseling Center: https://www.rmu.edu/why-rmu/campus/counseling-center 
• University of Pittsburgh
• University Counseling Center: https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/cc/
• After-Hours Mental Health Crisis Response: 412-648-7930 x 1
• Sexual Assault Response: 412-648-7856