Mental Health Care for UCSD Students
Many young people struggle with anxiety, depression or other disorders at some point during their college years.
UC San Diego Health offers culturally sensitive, evidence-based treatments for all types of general and complex mental health issues, tailored to the needs and common experiences of our UC San Diego students.
UC San Diego students are automatically enrolled in a student health insurance plan (SHIP), which includes coverage for mental health care services. Currently, our services are only available to UC San Diego students.
College can be stressful. Nearly 30 percent of college students have felt so depressed in the past year that it was difficult to function, and more than 50 percent have felt overwhelming anxiety, making it hard to succeed academically, according to the American College Health Association.
Mental Health Conditions Treated
Our psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health care providers are highly trained and familiar with the unique aspects of treating college students with mental health issues, including:
- Anxiety disorders, such as phobias and social anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Substance use disorders, such as alcohol and marijuana use disorders
- Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
- Cyclic mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder
- First-episode psychosis or early psychosis in young adults
- Suicidal thoughts
Addressing Mental Illness Early
Approximately 75 percent of all mental illnesses manifest by the age of 25 and approximately one in four individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable mental illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Simply put, if you are a student struggling with a mental health issue, you are not alone, and there is no reason to suffer in silence. Mental health conditions can be treated successfully. Research suggests that early interventions may improve treatment success and lessen long-term disabilities associated with brain disorders.
Follow-Up Care for Lasting Mental Wellness
Follow-up care is important for lasting recovery and relapse prevention. Once a student's condition is managed, the primary care team continues to monitor mental health improvement, school progress, and quality of care on campus.
Advancing Mental Health Care for Transitional-Age Youth
As part of an academic medical center, our patients may have opportunities to receive promising new therapies or treatments, not widely available to the general public.
Campus Resources
We work collaboratively with CAPS, which provides free on-campus counseling for enrolled UC San Diego students. If needed, we can connect you with other resources in the community.
Emergency Help Available 24/7
Emergency counseling for UC San Diego students is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Existing patients: 858-534-7792; UC San Diego students: 858-534-3755
Mental Health Care Providers For UCSD Students
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