1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness
1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness
17% of youth (6-17 years) experience a mental heath problem
In a given year, only the following percentages of people receive treatment:
43% of adults with mental illness
64% of adults with serious mental illness
51% of youth (6-17) with a mental health condition
Adults with mental heath diagnosis who received treatment in 2019:
25% of Asian adults
31% of Black adults
32% of adults who report mixed/multiracial
33% of Hispanic or LatinX adults
49% of White adults
49% of LGBTQ+ adults
- The percentage of students who reported being diagnosed with a mental health condition increased by 13.6% from 2007–2017 (from 21.9 to 35.5%), and the number who reported suicidal ideation in the past year increased by 5%.
- The COVID-19 pandemic poses additional unprecedented stressors, isolation, and disruption.
- Elevated levels of adverse mental health conditions, substance use, and suicidal ideation were reported by adults in the US in June 2020, with highest levels among those ages 18–24.
- Talk to a health care professional
- Call a helpline
- Connect with friends and family
- Join a support group
- In a life-threatening emergency: Call 314-935-5555 on-campus, or 911 off-campus
- For WashU undergraduates:
Timely Care app for 24/7/365 support: Please download the app (https://students.wustl.edu/timelycare/) and use your WashU email to register.
During a mental health crisis that is not immediately life threatening, call 314-935-6695 during business hours or 314-935-6666 after hours
Book an appointment here: https://students.wustl.edu/student-portal-habif/
Attend a Let’s Talk session (brief, drop-in consultations with Habif counselors): https://students.wustl.edu/lets-talk/
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
800-273-8255
Online chat
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Crisis Text Line for Students of Color: Text STEVE to 741741 - National Sexual Assault Hotline by RAINN:
800-656-HOPE (4673)
Online chat - National Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788
Online chat - The Trevor Project (LGBTQ Suicide Hotline):
866-488-7386 or text to 678678
Online chat - Trans Lifeline:
877-565-8860
https://translifeline.org/
If you have questions about a situation with a student, you can call the Habif Mental Health Coordinator during business hours at 314-935-6695 or you can call the Timely Care hotline any time 24/7 at 833-4-TIMELY.
Contact the Biology Inclusion Committee for a handout* on:
- Recognizing warning signs of student distress
- Approaches for actively listening to and expressing concern for students
- Language you can use to communicate with students about their mental health
- Referring students to academic and mental health resources on campus
*provided by Shaina Rowell, PhD (WUSTL Center for Teaching & Learning; srowell@wustl.edu)