For most students, starting college or graduate school introduces new stressors and requires a shift in priorities. As you progress through your studies, or begin to look ahead to what comes after graduation, still new stressors emerge. In order to thrive, it is important that you practice self-care and take advantage of the resources and opportunities Saint Louis University has to offer.
See Resources for Students in Crisis
Our Jesuit mission calls us to cura personalis or care for the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Whether you need clinical support from trained professionals, connectedness and a sense of belonging, or spiritual nourishment, there are resources at SLU to support you. Below you will find a brief overview of those resources, as well as tips for maintaining mental health and well-being during your time at SLU.
Whatever your needs, there are offices and individuals at SLU who can help. All you have to do is ask. We believe asking for help is a sign of strength.
Finding Support
“Mental health” is more than receiving clinical interventions for mental health crises and challenges. It’s about creating the conditions in which you are mentally healthy and experience belonging and well-being.
We are all in different places when it comes to our mental health, and each of us has a different background that got us to this point. What are you doing to support your mental health? Are you developing life skills and connecting with others so that you might be better prepared to ask for help when in crisis? Asking for help and support from others can be our greatest challenge, yet our best tool in the toolkit. You cannot start to help others if you do not take care of yourself first. The list below can assist you in thinking of ways to maintain a strong mental health support system.
- Practice self-care
- Engage in meditation, prayer and mindfulness
- Try and maintain a consistent sleep schedule
- Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water
- Participate in intramural sports and sport clubs
- Join a chartered student organization (CSO)
- Connect with others and serve the local community by getting involved with the Center for Social Justice
- Foster supportive relationships through retreats, mentorship and research opportunities or student employment
- Join available training like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), EverFi online modules or Step UP! training
- Educational workshops, tutoring and/or Pius XII Memorial Library services
- Talk to family, friends, mentor or other trusted individuals about how you are feeling
- Engage with peer mentors and programs such as resident advisors, Billiken Wellness Ambassadors, peer instructors, Rainbow Alliance or Student Government Association (SGA)
- Reach out to your academic advisor
- Participate in group therapy opportunities
- Access support resources like the Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement, LGBTGIA* resources, Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX and the Dean of Students office
- Call Public Safety: 314-977-3000
- Call 911
- Seek care at the hospital
- If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org to chat with someone online
Expanded Resources to Support Student Mental Health and Well-being
In addition to on-campus health clinics, students may now speak with a nurse 24/7 to discuss medical and behavioral (mental) health concerns, obtain self-care advice, or request a telehealth appointment with a health care provider. You may access this service from anywhere in the country, such as when traveling or residing outside of Missouri during summer or winter breaks. Note: The service is not available to students in Madrid, or studying abroad.
Nurse Triage Line
A nurse advice line for students who need immediate advice for a medical or behavioral health concern. This service is available 24/7/365 by calling the Student Health Center (314-977-2323) and pressing option #9 to be directly connected to a nurse.
Online Medical and Behavioral Health Telehealth Appointments
Students who are unable to make appointments with the University Counseling Center or Student Health Center during business hours, or prefer the convenience of telehealth appointments, will be able to schedule appointments for full care using this service. Day, evening and weekend appointments will be available.
Learn More About the Nurse Triage Line and Telehealth Appointments
Campus Resources for Students with Specific Concerns
Saint Louis University is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion as values rooted in Ignatian spirituality. Our students aspire to build communities that are unburdened by discrimination and oppression while advancing the Ignatian concepts of educating the whole person. Therefore, we offer the following resources for students with specific concerns and needs.
- Mental Health Resources for Students of Color (from SLU’s UCC)
- Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement
- Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
- Cross Cultural Center for Global Citizenship
- University Counseling Center
- Dean of Students Office
Multiple student organizations, including the Black Student Alliance, African Students Association, African American Male Scholars, National Society of Black Engineers, and OASIS and many others.
- LGBTQIA* Resources (from SLU’s UCC and CCC)
- Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement
- Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
- Cross Cultural Center for Global Citizenship
- University Counseling Center
- Dean of Students Office
- Queer Closet
Student organizations like Billikens After Dark.
Student organizations like African Students Association, Chinese Students and Scholars Association and Indian Student Association.
Learning Opportunities
We are all on a journey of mental health and well-being, and we’re all continuing to grow and learn. Below are key resources that can help you grow in your own self-care or in recognizing and intervening when others need help.
| Mental Well-Being Module | This course helps student learners navigate the stressors and emotional challenges of college life. |
| Mental Health First Aid | A skills-based training course that teaches participants how to respond to mental health and substance abuse crisis. |
| Ask. Listen. Refer. | Online suicide prevention training available for SLU students, faculty, and staff. ALR focuses on risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs of suicide, and to respond and get help for individuals in need. |
| Step UP! Bystander Training | Prosocial behavior and bystander intervention program that educates students to be proactive in helping others. |
| Wellness Presentations | Given by the Campus Rec and Wellness team to educate and bring awareness to various topics including alcohol & other drugs, mental health, suicide prevention, sexual assault prevention, and more! |