I Need Help

Urgent Help

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (options in Davis) if you are an immediate danger to yourself or others or if you are in need of immediate medical attention.

Text RELATE to 741741

Crisis Text Line is a free, immediate and confidential texting service for UC Davis students in crisis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text RELATE to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to text with a trained volunteer crisis counselor.

Call or Text 988

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services are also available in Spanish and for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Call 530-752-0871 or Visit SHCS’s Acute Care Clinic

During business hours, students can call Counseling Services at 530-752-0871 or visit Student Health and Counseling Service’s (SHCS) Acute Care Clinic on the first floor of the Student Health and Wellness Center for a crisis consultation. When SHCS is closed, Crisis Consultation Services can be accessed by calling the same number and following the after hours prompts. For more details about these services, including same-day crisis appointments, please visit the SHCS Crisis Care and Urgent Help webpage.

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Counseling Services at UC Davis

Mental health support is available for you. We are here to listen. UC Davis offers mental health appointments, confidential resources and additional support services. UC Davis Counseling Services offers no-cost individual brief therapy for all registered students. Individual counseling is offered throughout campus. Explore some of the SHCS mental health support services below: 

Individual Counseling Appointments

Counseling vs. Therapy vs. Psychotherapy 

SHCS uses the terms counseling, therapy and psychotherapy interchangeably. All counseling/therapy/psychotherapy through SHCS is provided by licensed clinicians or predoctoral interns and postdoctoral residents who are supervised by licensed clinicians. The language used in these sections reflects the language used in Health-e-Messaging.

Individual Brief Counseling is confidential short-term therapy available to all registered UC Davis students at no charge. While graduate students are welcome to schedule appointments with any of the counselors, additional resources can be found on the Grad Studies website. The initial appointment will help clarify if short-term individual counseling is recommended, and an appointment will be made with a staff member as soon as possible. If long-term ongoing therapy is recommended after your initial counseling session(s), a referral out to a therapist off campus can be made with the help of a counseling services case manager. You can make an appointment for individual counseling online at Health-e-Messaging, in person or by calling 530-752-0871. Please note: If you want to make a more specific request, such as changing counselors or making an appointment with a specific counselor, please call 530-752-0871 rather than using Health-e-Messaging.

Community Advising Network

The Community Advising Network (CAN) comprises a diverse team of counselors who are here to help students achieve their goals and address factors that may be affecting their academic success. The goal of the CAN Program is to decrease barriers, thus increase access to mental health services for all students, especially students from underserved and marginalized communities. CAN Counselors are here to support students through informal consultations and/or through therapy. To schedule your first appointment with a CAN counselor, reach out to them directly via email rather than scheduling through Health-e-Messaging. Visit the SHCS webpage on CAN counselors to learn what campus units and communities they serve.

Navigating Long-Term Ongoing Therapy in the Community

UC Davis Counseling Services provides short-term therapy but can support students as they navigate finding a counselor off campus that provides ongoing therapy. Please contact SHCS Insurance Services or visit them on the 3rd floor of the Student Health and Wellness Center if you need help navigating getting a therapist that is covered under your insurance. Insurance services can assist if you have UC SHIP or your own private insurance.

Group Services

Group services is a great way to meet with other students who can relate to one another. Students will find a form of peer support, gaining strength as they share their feelings and experiences with other students who are facing the same obstacles. Location varies from group to group. To schedule a screening appointment you can visit Health-e-Messaging and select which group you are interested in. If the group you are interested does not have screening appointments available during a time you can attend, you can call Student Health and Counseling Services registration at 530-752-0871 or visit 219 North Hall. If you are currently in individual brief counseling through Counseling Services, feel free to share with your counselor any interest you have in workshops or group therapy, as they can help you decide which group you would prefer and can help connect you with group and workshop facilitators.

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Office of Student Support

Case Managers

Every year, students struggle with challenges and crisis-related issues that interfere with their academic and student life success. UC Davis non-clinical Case Managers, based in the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA), are here to provide support and assistance to students in need and to staff and faculty members who become aware of such students. Case Managers receive information, identify resources, reach out to students, and follow up so that students receive assistance with their needs. To refer yourself or another student, please fill out the Public Student Support Referral form.

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Health 34

Health 34 delivers free, non-emergency support for physical and mental issues, such as minor accidents, panic attacks, roommate troubles and other needs. Contact Health 34 for non-emergency issues, support and navigation to services by calling 530-754-3434. This service is available on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Additional Support Resources

As mental health is self-defined and intersectional, UC Davis offers a wide variety of student support services that go beyond traditional therapy. View the list of additional support resources here.