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.
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:
If you are struggling with any of the mental health concerns listed above, be sure to check out the following resources for support.
Mental health crises can be distressing and often require urgent, same-day support.
Mental health crises can include when an individual:
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.
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:
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.