Community Resources & Support for Students at Home

The health, wellness, and safety of our students is our top priority and we want to make sure that our students and their communities are provided with the utmost support. Please remember that whatever you are experiencing is valid, you are not alone, and your wellbeing is what is most important. In addition to the campus resources that we will continue to offer remotely, the following is a list of organizations that can provide help and support for mental health, sexual assault, domestic violence, and food and financial insecurity.

Meeting Basic Needs

Call 2-1-1: 211 is a national network of comprehensive social service agencies. A highly trained community resource specialist takes calls 24/7 and can connect you to services in your local community including supplemental food and nutrition, shelter, housing options, utilities assistance, emergency information and disaster relief, and more. You can learn more and get started online at http://211.org/
Also visit for http://211.org/services/covid19 for specific information on how they are able to help during the pandemic.

Sexual Assault

Immediate Help: call RAINN’s (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) 24/7 free and confidential hotline at 1-800-656-4673
Support Services: The National Sexual Violence Resource Center offers a listing of online support services for those who may be in need of community
Self-Care: Engage in physical and emotional self-care techniques that may be helpful to you. Here are some provided by RAINN.
Near You: Every state and territory also has an organization designated to coordinate the activities of rape crisis efforts and represent that state or territory as its coalition that provide services to survivors. Please contact your state or territory’s coalition (link is below) to find local resources.
NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center) Directory of State and Territory Coalitions
Directory of Victim/Survivor Support Organizations

Dating & Domestic Abuse

Immediate Help: For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
If You are in Danger: Call 9-1-1
Support Services:Here is an extensive list of available support services.
Self-Care: Self-care is a simple concept, yet for many of us, it can be incredibly difficult in practice. It is especially challenging for victims and survivors of abuse, who are often made to feel like they are not worthy of love or care. But the truth is that everyone deserves to be cared for, and we all have the power to be our own caregivers.
Tips on self-care
Helping Others: A person experiencing domestic violence will often be afraid to openly share their circumstances for fear of retaliation from their abuser. If you suspect someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, start by watching out for these key indicators, then see how to start a conversation
Looking for Resources Near You: The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) represents the 56 state and U.S. territory coalitions against domestic violence. Domestic violence coalitions serve as state-wide and territory-wide leaders in the efforts to end domestic violence.
Find resource in your state.

Managing Anxiety & Stress

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community in which you live.

If you, or someone you care about, feel overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, help is available 24/7:

Call: 9-1-1
Call: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or Text: TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517)
People with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call 1-800-985-5990.
Download the fact sheet on Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
Learn more about coping during COVID-19
Visit the daily updated resource page from The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

Things you can do to support yourself:

Connect with others: Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships and build a strong support system.
Take breaks:Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try to do activities you usually enjoy.
Stay Informed:When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information like your local government authorities.
Avoid too much exposure to news: Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.
Seek help when needed:If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counselor, or doctor, or contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
Take care of your body:Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.

If you experience these feelings or behaviors for several days in a row and are unable to carry out normal responsibilities because of them, seek professional help. Find help here.