In the past month, UW–Madison has seen an uptick in calls and messages from students experiencing mental health distress and about students of concern. You may be seeing worrisome signs firsthand in students you teach and mentor or be wondering how best to support them in these final weeks. Here are some resources to help.

Messages to share with all students

The messages and actions you convey in your role can make a significant difference in a student’s well-being. Please take concerns seriously and offer support as you are able.

• Your well-being is most important.
• Self-care means advocating for your needs.
• Reaching out for help is a sign of strength.
• I’m here to listen if you need to talk.
• You are more than your grade in this class.

Ways to check in with students

It is always better to check in with someone and find that they are okay, or to provide flexibility, than to miss an opportunity to offer support when it is needed. The UHS Healthy Academics Toolkit includes more information about these strategies on the Recognize, Respond, Refer webpage.

Recognize signs of distress:

• Changes in behavior, such as missing class or repeated requests for additional time on assignments or projects.
• Changes to appearance, such as swollen eyes or changes to personal hygiene.
• References to self-harm or death, including expressing feelings of hopelessness.

Respond to a student in need:

• Start the conversation with concrete, observable behaviors which caused your concern.
• Maintain a calm, supportive tone.

Refer a student to resources:

• Campus has a variety of mental health resources available to students now, detailed below.
• If the person is not in immediate danger, the decision to seek help is entirely up to that person.
• If you are concerned a student may be contemplating suicide, please refer to Suicide Prevention Resources for Faculty & Staff.

Campus resources that can offer immediate help 

24/7 Crisis Services – Someone is always available to talk. The UHS mental health crisis line is staffed by UHS providers during the day and licensed, professional counselors on the evenings and weekends. Students should call if they are in crisis, or anyone can call with concerns about a student or friend: 608-265-5600 (option 9).

Let’s Talk – Let’s Talk offers students daily virtual sessions with licensed counselors. Students can sign up online for a 20-minute private consultation within a two-hour period. Sessions are available until December 17.

Dean of Students Office Same Day Drop-in – The Dean of Students Office connects students who are navigating personal, academic, or health issues, to supportive campus and community resources. Students can schedule same-day drop-in support online and choose to meet by phone, email, or virtual meeting.

Free Self-guided Resources

SilverCloud (app and web-based versions)
Students get support at their own pace. SilverCloud is an online, self-guided, interactive mental health resource that provides students with support 24 hours a day through a variety of modules that address anxiety, depression, stress, sleep, resilience, and body image.

Healthy Minds App (Apple and Google Play)
Anyone can access free, science-backed mindfulness resources from UW–Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds, including active and seated meditations, podcast-style lessons, and reporting to track changes in your well-being over time.

If a student is struggling with a mental health issue, please assure them that they are not alone and that reaching out for support is a sign of strength. Call the UHS 24-hour crisis line if you need immediate support to help a student in crisis. If you are concerned about a student’s overall well-being, please let the Dean of Students Office know so they can follow up.