Resources for Mental Illness

We know experiencing mental illness as a staff or faculty member in higher education is difficult. That’s why we’ve gathered some resources for mental illness to help support you or your colleagues, including our toolkit, which is available for you to download and share on your campus. 

Carly with back to camera looking out over a cliff - Resources for mental illness

The Committed Project Toolkit

Resources for Mental Illness in Higher Education

The Committed Project Educational Toolkit

Support/Hotlines

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.

Family Support Foundation for Mental Illness
The mission of the Family Support Foundation for Mental Illness is to support individuals and families coping with mental illness by being an audible, positive voice and by supporting the good work of others.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline
HelpLine staff and volunteers are prepared to answer your questions about mental health issues including:

  • Symptoms of mental illness
  • Treatment options
  • Local support groups and services
  • Education programs
  • Helping family members get treatment
  • Programs to help find jobs
  • Legal issues

We are unable to provide counseling or therapy, cannot provide specific recommendations for things like treatment or do individual casework, legal representations or other individual advocacy.

Finding Help – Mental Health America
There are a wide range of treatments and supports for mental illness. Unfortunately, they can be hard to find or pay for. Mental Health America is here to help.

Education and Awareness

Mental Health America (MHA)
Mental Health America addresses the needs of people with mental illness. They promote positive mental health for all Americans.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a grassroots mental health organization that builds better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI raises awareness and provides support and education around mental illness.

Depression: A Love Story
Short presentation by co-founder Kristen Abell on her struggle with mental illness and how important it is for us to fight the stigma associated with it.

Mental Health Research

National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH)
The National Institute of Mental Health is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

Mental Illness Research Association (MIRA)
The mission of the Mental Illness Research Association is two-fold: to supply desperately needed funds for brain research, and 2) to provide educational programs that can make a significant difference in the quality of life for those who are afflicted with brain diseases.

Organizations for Students Affected by Mental Illness

The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation’s mission is to protect emotional health and prevent suicide among college and university students.

Active Minds
This organization empowers students to speak openly about mental health to educate others and encourage help-seeking.

Mental Health Apps

Stop, Breathe, & Think

Free on IOS, Android and web. Get meditating in 5 minutes. Easy.
With this app, you can develop and apply kindness and compassion in your daily life through a process called STOP, BREATHE and THINK:

  • STOP: Stop what you are doing. Check in with what you are thinking, and how you are feeling.
  • BREATHE: Practice mindful breathing to create space between your thoughts, emotions and reactions.
  • THINK: Learn to broaden your perspective and strengthen your force field of peace and calm by practicing one of the meditations.

Pacifica

Available on iOS, Android and web
$3.99/month or $29.99/year
Pacifica uses tools based in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help manage anxiety, depression & stress. Track your mood, your health, set daily goals, use relaxation techniques, and use the thought diary and mood history features to track patterns and trends in your thinking and moods.

PTSD Coach

Free on iOS and Android and available as PTSD Coach ONLINE for desktop use

The PTSD Coach app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that often occur after trauma. Features include:

  • Reliable information on PTSD and treatments that work
  • Tools for screening and tracking your symptoms
  • Convenient, easy-to-use tools to help you handle stress symptoms
  • Direct links to support and help