Mental Health and Basic Needs Resources

Table of Contents

If you need help right now:
If you need a support line:
On campus resources:
Off campus community resources:
Individual resources:
National resources:

If you need help right now:

If you have a medical or mental health emergency please call 911.

If you need a support line:

  • California Parent & Youth Helpline: Call 855-427-2736 for the only statewide, free Helpline where trained master’s-level counselors answer calls, texts, and live chats 24/7 via phone and web. The Helpline provides evidence-based emotional support to hundreds of thousands of parents, children, and youth facing mental health challenges, abuse, isolation, and crisis. Services are confidential, available in 240 languages, and designed to reach anyone who needs help — whenever they need it.
  • Crisis Textline crisistextline.org: Text HOME to 741741. Anyone can text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7 support. Text from anywhere in the USA. Every texter is connected with a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem solving.
  • CA Peer Run WARM LINE: 855-845-7415. This is a non-emergency resource for anyone in California seeking mental and emotional support. Providing 24/7 assistance via phone and web chat on a nondiscriminatory basis to anyone in need.
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Para acceder al apoyo en español, marque 988 y presione 2. Para iniciar una conversación de mensaje de texto en español con el 988 Lifeline, envía la palabra AYUDA a 988. Para chatear con el 988 Lifeline en español, elige “Español” en la esquina superior derecha de la pantalla y luego visita nuestra página de chat. 
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. Live chat and text support - Text “START” to 88788.
  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Currently, the 435748 (HELP4U) text messaging service is only available in English.
  • The Trans Lifeline: Call 1-877-565-8860. The Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. It provides crisis intervention hotlines, staffed by transgender individuals, for trans and questioning callers. This crisis line does not work with the police.
  • The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741. The Crisis Text Line is the only 24/7, nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline.
  • StrongHearts Native Helpline: You can call 1-844-7-NATIVE or 1-844-762-8483 to reach this 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally appropriate support and advocacy. This crisis line does not work with the police.
  • Deaf Crisis Line: Use a videophone to call 1-321-800-3323 and speak with a trained counselor who is fluent in ASL. This hotline is specifically for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language as their primary language.
  • BlackLine: Call or text 1-800-604-5841 to be connected to a support service specifically for Black, Brown, Native & Muslim individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges. You can contact this helpline to receive peer support, counseling, witnessing and affirming of the lived experiences of folx most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens. This crisis line does not work with the police.
  • National Eating Disorder Association Helpline: Call or text 1-800-931-2237 to be connected with a confidential helpline for individuals who are struggling with eating disorders, as well as their loved ones. You can receive support, information, and referrals to treatment resources.

On campus resources:

  • Counseling and Psychological Services: CAPS is a resource that is available to all students, and they provide individual counseling, couples counseling, and group therapy (including drop-in groups!). If you have never had counseling at the Student Wellness Center, please visit their office at 408-924-5678 or stop by to schedule your initial session. The purpose of this initial meeting is to understand your needs so that they can guide you to appropriate resources such as groups and/or workshops, brief therapy, or referral to an outside counseling agency. This is not necessary to attend all groups.
  • YOU@SJSU: A mental health & wellness website and App for all students. It was designed to help students manage stress, set goals, promote happiness and well-being, and connect to campus resources.
  • Wellness Lounge: Located on the first floor of the Student Wellness Center and open M-R 10a-4p and F 1p-4p. The Wellness Lounge offers different events and activities where you can relax and unwind a bit, doing things like coloring, playing Nintendo Switch games, and they also have free massage chairs you can book 20-minutes appointments for by stopping by the Wellness Lounge front desk, visiting their SWC Patient Portal, or calling 408-924-5678. The lounge also offers an alternative place to study and/or connect with peers if you are looking to expand your support network.
  • Accessible Education Center (AEC): The Accessible Education Center, through collaboration with the campus and community, is committed to redefining ability for students with disabilities by providing comprehensive services in support of the educational development and success of students with disabilities in a student-centered and professional environment.
  • Black Leadership and Opportunity Center: The SJSU Black Leadership and Opportunity Center (BLOC) serves to holistically empower, uplift, and develop all students in the African Diaspora through strengthening and building community bonds, encouraging positive Black identity, and providing social and academic support.
  • Pride Center: The mission of the PRIDE Center is to support the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Nonbinary, etc.) students of San José State University. Through dynamic programming and educational outreach the PRIDE Center seeks to improve the campus climate for LGBTQ+ students and advocate for the respect and safety of all members of the campus community.
  • Gender Equity Center: The GenEC provides dynamic programming and educational outreach opportunities through collaborative partnerships with other campus and community organizations.
  • MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center: The mission of MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center is to: Provide a safe and welcoming environment that honors and celebrates diversity. We offer support, advocacy for historically underrepresented groups, leadership opportunities, and intentional programming that focus on critical thought, social justice, and cultural empowerment for the SJSU community.
  • SJSU Cares: SJSU Cares assists students who are facing an unforeseen economic crisis by providing direct support and referrals around basic needs including food, housing, emergency assistance and more. They want to ensure that you reach your academic goals towards graduation. Their programs include self-help assistance/information, case management resources, the Spartan Food Pantry and more. 
  • Spartan Food Pantry: The Spartan Food Pantry is a walk-in, full-service, staffed, food assistance program offering non-perishable goods, fresh produce, and refrigerated items to eligible students. Open during the shelter in place (see updated hours on website/social media), no prior application required, bring Tower Card and reusable grocery bags.
  • Student Health Center: The role of the SJSU Student Health Center is to serve all registered students by providing treatment and care in support of the student community’s well-being. Not only can you receive attention for acute conditions, injuries, and illnesses from licensed physicians, the Health Center also provides support services such as a laboratory, pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology, dermatology, podiatry and sports medicine.
  • UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center: The UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center (USRC) is invested in creating educational opportunities that will further the success of UndocuSpartans at SJSU. The USRC uses a cross-cultural and social justice lens to provide holistic support and resources to undocumented students and the campus community. The center works alongside undocumented/AB 540 students and allies to create a campus community that is welcoming and inclusive of all students regardless of their immigration status.
  • Veterans Resource Center: The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is designed as a one-stop resource that plays a primary role in serving the university's growing community of veterans and military students.

Off campus community resources:

  • 2-1-1 Bay Area: 2-1-1 Bay Area connects users with referrals to non-emergency needs like housing, food, shelter, utility assistance, legal assistance, and more.
    • Phone: Call 2-1-1. Text your Zip Code to 898211
  • Asian Law Alliance: Non-profit organization that provides equal access to the justice system for Asian Pacific Islander and low-income populations in the Silicon Valley. Services areas include housing, public benefits, immigration & deportation defense, domestic violence/victims of violent crimes, and civil rights.
  • Bay Area Legal Aid: Bay Area Legal Aid helps thousands of low income Bay Area residents build safer, healthier, and more stable lives. Their mission is to provide meaningful access to the civil justice system through quality legal assistance regardless of a client’s location, language or disability.
  • Bill Wilson Center: The Bill Wilson Center programs focus on housing, education, counseling, and advocacy. They provide services to more than 4,100 children, youth, young adults and families in Santa Clara County through our various programs.
  • CalFresh: Monthly cash assistance for groceries.
  • Community Solutions: Community Solutions provide a comprehensive spectrum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and residential services to the communities of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. They also provide services and support to help children, families, and individuals overcome the challenges posed by mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma, severe family dysfunction, sexual and domestic violence, and human trafficking.
  • City of Santa Clara Renters Resources: Information about affordable rental housing, eviction rights, landlord/tenant dispute resolutions, and emergency rental assistance.
  • County of Santa Cruz Mental Health Resources: The Behavioral Health Division provides a wide range of prevention and treatment options for Santa Cruz County adults, children and their families. Resources are broken down by age group and they offer a pocket guide and local hot lines.
  • Greenlight Clinic: A free mental health clinic in San Francisco. Providing a safe environment where individuals can identify and manage feelings around family, peers, school, financial stress, work, or whatever feelings are being experienced.
  • Family Paths: A non-profit organization of mental health professionals and dedicated volunteers that provide a number of mental health and supportive services to low income, multi-stressed individuals and families in Alameda County.
  • Hunger at Home: Hunger at Home holds drive-through food distributions every Saturday at 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Lincoln Glen Church, 2700 Booksin Avenue, San Jose. They also conduct food rescue and repurpose to provide nutritious meals for the community.
    • Address: 1560 Berger Drive, San Jose, CA 95112
    • Phone: 408-318-0038 
  • Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution: "Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution is a non-profit organization serving the North Side community in District 3. We host a free farmers' market open to everyone in the community. Our food selection changes daily and includes a wide variety—fresh produce, dairy, bread, meat, and more. You get to choose what you need, within reasonable limits. Stop by and see what’s available—we’d love to welcome you!"
    • Address: 309 N 17th St, San Jose, CA 95112
    • Phone: (408) 492-1323
  • Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen: Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen offers hot and nutritious meals to low-income individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County five days a week.
    • Address: 1500 Berger Drive, San Jose, CA 95112
    • Phone: 408-922-9085
    • Eligibility: Low-income residents of Santa Clara County 
  • Sacred Heart Community Service: Sacred Heart Community Service offers food, clothing, housing assistance, and other support services to low-income individuals and families in San Jose. They provide both emergency and long-term assistance.
    • Address: 1381 S. First St., San Jose, CA 95110
    • Phone: 408-278-2160
    • Eligibility: Low-income residents of Santa Clara County 
  • Second Harvest: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley provides food assistance to those in need throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. They offer various programs, including food distribution, CalFresh assistance, and nutrition education.
    • Address: 750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
    • Phone: 408-266-8866
    • Eligibility: Varies by program, call for details.
    • Food locator: https://www.shfb.org/get-food/#tool - This tool allows you to find other food pantries based on your location, preferred days, and needs.
  • Thriving Campus: Use this resource to help you connect with a therapist that works with college students, including those near SJSU, or you can put in your location to find a therapist closer to you. You can use the site to help you determine who might take your insurance, who you may not need insurance to see, and who may be a good fit based on their area(s) of expertise. 

Individual resources:

  • C.A.L.M (Calming, Anxiety, Living Mindfully): This resource is a program, available as PDFs (including those Accessible with Screen-Reader Technology) through SJSU Counseling and Psychological Services. The C.A.L.M manual is designed to aid in reducing and managing anxiety by assisting with reducing anxiety-related limitations and suffering with helpful practices, concepts, and skills while also increasing one’s self-concept.
  • Guided meditations: This is a resource that you can use to go through guided meditations with a mobile device. These can be downloaded, streamed, or played through the UCLA mindful app. These meditations are accessible in a variety of languages such as Cantonese, Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, and ASL.

National resources:

  • Active Minds: Active Minds is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising mental health awareness among students via peer to peer dialogue and interaction. 
  • Dana Foundation: Explore the brain with the Dana Foundation’s free resources for kids and adults. Find fact sheets, lesson plans, articles, and puzzles about brain function and health, all reviewed and approved by scientists.
  • Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance: DBSA offers a variety of free education- all materials that can be downloaded or sent directly to your home. The website includes materials detailing strategies and information applicable for both loved ones & caregivers as well as those with depression or bipolar.
  • The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950- 6264 M-F, 10 am-6pm, ET. Or in a crisis text “NAMI” to 741741 for 24/7, confidential free counseling. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
  • The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call or text 1-800-422-4453, plus live chat support. If you are being hurt, know someone who might be hurting, or are afraid you might hurt another, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.

Recommendations/Issues?

You can find the most up-to-date information on this Google Doc.

If you have recommendations about other resources you think I should add, or if you encounter a broken link, please reach out and let me know! 

- Dr. Désia Bacon, Psychology, desia.bacon@sjsu.edu