Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

Manage Your Stress

Stress is one of the most frequently reported factors that affect students' academic performance and it is a constant presence in the lives of most students. Stress is the body's response to demand and in fact, a certain amount of stress is not a bad thing. But too much stress can cause headaches, trouble sleeping, depression, anxiety, and lower your immune system. High levels of continuous stress can lead to long-term negative personal and health consequences. Stress can come from many different sources such as increased class workload, change in sleeping habits, roommate conflict, and computer problems.

Learning how to manage your stress

Campus and Community Services

University life can be stressful for many reasons, and it is not uncommon for students to experience emotional problems during this period of time. Many disturbances in emotional health, including depression, anxiety, self-destructive or suicidal thoughts, have a physical component. And some physical symptoms, (e.g. sleep or appetite disturbance, chest pain, stomach upset) can be caused by emotional distress.

If you have concerns related to your mental health, an evaluation by a Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) counselor can discuss your symptoms and provide treatment options, including a possible psychiatric evaluation. If you are considering the use of mental health medications, Student Health Services (SHS) can provide basic psychiatric care. If SHS cannot safely manage your care, we will provide you with resources to manage your symptoms.

Call us at 415-338-1251 to speak to a Nurse about scheduling an appointment with a psychiatrist. Visit Counseling & Psychological Services for more information on mental health services.

Psychiatric and Psychological Services by County

  • San Francisco County Resources
  • San Francisco Free mental health chart including 24 hour hotline
  • Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital & Trauma Center: Psychiatric Emergency Services provide crisis stabilization, complete medical and psychiatric assessment and evaluation services. Available to anyone experiencing a mental health emergency
    • Division of Acute Emergency Services: 1001 Potrero Ave. San Francisco, CA 94110
    • (415) 206- 8125 
  • Westside Crisis: Provides crisis intervention, brief crisis treatment (one to three visits), and referrals. The Clinic is designed to stabilize low-income residents in a mental health crisis and refer that person to an appropriate source for follow-up treatment. Does not accept private insurance. Accept Medi-Cal and uninsured. Services for SF residents 18+.
    • 245 11th St., San Francisco, CA 94103
    • (415) 355-0311
  • OMI Family Center (CBHS): Open to SF residents 59 and under. Offers individual counseling, case management, medication management, information & referrals. For those with Medi-Cal and some sliding scale for no or very low income. Must bring I.D. to drop in time.
    • 1701 Ocean Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112
    • (415) 452-2200
  • For Students with Kaiser Insurance:
    • 2001 Junipero Serra Blvd #650, Daly City, 94014. (650) 991-6200 
    • 4141 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118. (415) 833-2292 
    • Call the contact number and explain that you have an urgent mental health need. If you have Kaiser outside of San Francisco County, call the number on your Kaiser card.
A genderqueer person sitting on a therapist's couch, listening

For life-threatening emergencies

  • On-campus, dial 8-2222
  • Off-campus, dial 911

Emergency Services for Suicide Prevention

Sometimes stress or challenges may just seem too big.  At those times it may be helpful to reach out to one of these 24-hour support services.