World Mental Health Day, observed Oct. 10 every year, is dedicated to generating awareness and education regarding mental health, as well as reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. In this light, we at the Clog have compiled a list of mental health resources available on campus that are accessible to all UC Berkeley students.

Awareness

It’s extremely important that you’re well-informed about the symptoms of the most common mental illnesses, such as depression, so that you may be in a position to receive help or help others. The University Health Services, or UHS, website is a great resource for educating yourself and others on the signs of depression.

Anonymous online screenings

If you or someone you know is ever confused about your mental well-being, UHS offers free online anonymous screenings for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress.

Be Well at Cal

Be Well at Cal is an initiative by UHS that serves as a guide for students to ensure overall mental and physical well-being here at UC Berkeley. The page includes tips on a wide range of aspects from stress management and healthy eating, to building resilience and developing self-compassion and gratitude. Inculcating these healthy habits early on will go a long way in preparing you for any trials and tribulations at UC Berkeley. We urge you to take a look at this comprehensive page for more information.

Counseling

Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, is a service offered by UHS that’s open to all UC Berkeley students regardless of their insurance coverage. Many forms of counseling fall under the umbrella of CAPS, such as career, psychiatric and group counseling. The Let’s Talk program, for instance, provides access to brief, confidential drop-in consultations with CAPS counselors. Operated out of the César E. Chávez Student Center, it’s first-come-first-serve and doesn’t require any paperwork. This service is more casual and is not suitable for those in need of urgent care. If you’re uncertain about whether you even require counseling or what kind of counseling you need, Let’s Talk is a great resource that’ll help you figure that out. You may also reach out to CAPS at 510-642-9494 to schedule a phone appointment to discuss a program that’s suited to you.

Urgent care/crisis

For urgent mental health concerns, CAPS provides urgent drop-in hours from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (no appointment required). In the situation where UHS is closed, you may call the after-hours support line at 855-817-5667.

Student clubs and organizations

Finally, there are many student clubs and organizations working toward destigmatizing mental illness, as well as providing a safe and supportive environment for those suffering from mental illness on campus. Some of these include the UC Berkeley chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Art and Mind, You Mean More, De-stress with Dogs and Student to Student Peer Counseling. We strongly advise you to get more information about these clubs to find one that’s best tailored to your needs. You may visit the CalLink website to learn more and find other clubs that are working toward the same goals!

We hope that you don’t hesitate to reach out to these resources. Keep yourself and your friends healthy and safe!