Self-Help Resources

Welcome! Here you will find information on a variety of topics to help you understand many mental health issues relevant to college students. Scroll to find topics and click a link to go to the topic.

From here, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to these sites. While we strive to provide only links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of the information offered and the links do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites.

myCompass

myCompass is a personalized self-help program that you can use on your mobile phone, computer and/or tablet. Learn new ways to deal with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that cause you trouble.

MoodJuice

MoodJuice is designed to help you think about emotional problems and work towards solving them. Emotional problems are often the mind and body’s way of saying that something needs to be changed in our life.

When using MoodJuice, you will look at several areas of life that can contribute to problems. You may find it helpful to think about each one in turn to see if it applies to you. Each of these areas has a set of links relating to it, these may provide useful information and guidance.

Alcohol

  • Alcohol Addiction Center: Information on alcohol use disorder, authorities on alcohol use, and treatment resources
  • Alcoholics Anonymous - A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem of alcoholism (for meetings at St. Ignatius click on link).
  • Al-Anon-Alateen - Helping families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend.
  • Alcohol Screening - How much is too much?
  • All California Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous - Provides resources and support groups for young people suffering from alcoholism.
  • Adult Children of Alcoholics - A Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition program of women and men who grew up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes.
  • College Binge Drinking - A website provided via About.Com - Is the drinking on college campus as wide-spread as reported? It is as dangerous as the media says it is?
  • Examining the Culture of College Drinking - Produced by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - interactive information including the myths about alcohol, newsroom, college alcohol policies, government issues, and other resources.
  • Helpful Tips - If you choose to drink, here are some steps you can take to reduce these negative consequences to keep drinking safe and fun, and have the college experience you hoped for.
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Website filled with publications, databases, graphics gallery, and other resources related to substance abuse.
  • The Other Bar - a confidential counseling and referral resource for California Lawyers, judges, law students and their families for help with alcoholism, drug abuse and related personal problems.
  • Smart Recovery - This site teaches self-reliance rather than reliance on a higher power; Views addiction as a complex maladaptive behavior rather than as a disease.

Anxiety

Athletes

Attention Deficit

  • ADHD Adulthood- resources on symptoms and how to control them
  • Additude.com - A website filled with information, news, books, etc., on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • Addvance.com - An online resource for women and girls with attention deficit disorder.

Culture Shock

  • Cultural Adjustment - Customs of the US links to Kansas State University article on Crossing Cultures.
  • Transfer Student Support - Being a transfer student can bring about unique issues and concerns, but also valuable experience and perspective. It is our hope that this article can help you navigate your transition and join the USF community.

Depression

Drugs

  • Cocaine Anonymous - A twelve-step recovery program for cocaine addiction.
  • Crystal Meth Anonymous - A twelve-step program for people who abuse crystal meth.
  • DrugRehab: researched, fact-based resources for free. Readers can learn about risks of various substances, the latest approaches to treatment and real stories of recovery 
  • Drug Watch - Offers extensive information about medications and drugs currently on the market or previously available. It includes prescription and over-the-counter medications and details about side effects.
  • Ecstasy (MDMA or “E”) drug information - A website provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse outlines some basic information about this drug often abused by college students.
  • Marijuana Anonymous - A twelve-step recovery program for marijuana addiction.
  • Narcotics Anonymous - a fellowship of men and women for whom drugs became a problem.
  • Drug Rehab Locator - Helping you find a drug rehab center in San Francisco, CA that is best for you. 

Eating Disorders & Healthy Body Image

  • Meditation to Help You Find Peace in Eating Disorder Recovery- Krista Erickson shares a centering, calming and grounding meditation. Take ten minutes out of your day today to tune inward and tune out anything is causing you stress.
  • Healthy Body Image (HBI) Program - HBI starts with an online evaluation, which is used to understand each person's behaviors and self-image. Based on these results, the HBI program assigns each user to a custom-tailored program that fits their unique needs. 
  • Adios Barbie - A body image site for every body…no matter what your size or background. Provides resources, personal stories, and interactive games that hope to inspire you to love your body through thick and thin!
  • Compulsive Overexercising - This site incorporates information from the Women's National Health Information Center and provides information on how to determine if your exercise is healthy.
  • The Academy for Eating Disorders - This is a multidisciplinary professional organization focusing on Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and related disorders.
  • Association of Professionals Treating Eating Disorders (APTED-SF) is an affiliation of private practitioners (psychologists, licensed counselors (MFT's), social workers, physicians, psychiatrists, nutritionists, dance and movement therapists) involved in treating people with eating disorders.
  • Boston College Information Center. Sponsored by the Boston College Eating Awareness Team, this helpful website focuses on Eating disorders and disordered eating.
  • Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. A program based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no fees, dues, or weigh-ins at FA meetings. FA is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support are, recovering from the disease of food addiction.
  • Bulimia.com - Specializes in information about eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating, plus related topics such as body image and obesity.
  • Caringonline - For those with negative body image or Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating.
  • Overeaters Anonymous - a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating.
  • Mirror, Mirror - This Canadian website provides the reader with definitions, signs and symptoms and physical/medical complications for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and compulsive eating.
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Information offered by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Established in 1980, the clearinghouse provides information about digestive diseases.
  • Medline Plus- Eating Disorders Provides information relating to eating disorders, as well as resources for screening, treatment, and organizations.
  • National Eating Disorders Association - Dedicated to eliminating eating disorders and body dissatisfaction (previously known as Eating Disorders and Awareness).
  • Student Nutrition (and Body Image) Action Committee (SNAC) - This is a University of California, Los Angeles website created by professionals to help college students eat well, be active, and feel good about their bodies.
  • Something Fishy -This website is dedicated to raising awareness and emphasizing that Eating Disorders are NOT about food and weight.
  • Self Compassion Circle- Lea Seigen Shinraku
    • Every 4th Monday 7-9:30 PM
    • Contact info: 415-689-7505
  • Lotus Collaborative- Eating Disorder support Group
    • Sundays 1-2:30 PM
    • 1610 Union St
    • Contact info: 415-931-3731 & sundayrsvp@gmail.com

General Mental Health

  • "The struggle of mental health" TED Talks here. (7 talks) Depression, schizophrenia, suicidal feelings—too often, these experiences stay private. These speakers who’ve struggled with mental illness boldly share their stories, in hopes that others don’t feel so alone.
  • Daily Strength - Online Support Groups and Forums on a variety of mental health issues
  • Debtors Anonymous - A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from compulsive debting.
  • How Stuff Works - Offers various resources as well as information regarding mental health. Some issues covered are autism, depression, and schizophrenia.
  • College Gambling - The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) recently launched CollegeGambling.org, a website developed as a tool to help campus administrators, campus health professionals, students and parents address gambling and gambling-related harms on college campuses. The site includes the National Helpline.
  • Half of Us, mtvU and The Jed Foundation created a campaign to initiate a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues on campus and connect students to the appropriate resources to get help.
  • MentalHelp.net - Website with resources, news, psych self-help, books, etc.
  • Relaxation Exercises - This links to Hobart and William Smith Colleges site which provides two relaxation exercises that can be downloaded.
  • S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) Information on self injury, as well as related topics such as depression and anxiety. This website also includes an online library of web links, informal self-assessment quizzes, and access to several online “advice” sites.
  • The struggle of mental health (7 TED Talks) - Depression, schizophrenia, suicidal feelings—too often, these experiences stay private. These speakers who’ve struggled with mental illness boldly share their stories, in hopes that others don’t feel so alone.
  • Ulifeline - A mental health library, drug database, mental health screening tests, how to help a friend, support groups, crisis centers, suicide prevention information and much more.

Grief and Loss

Health and Wellness

  • Awakenings - Simple Solutions for Life’s Problems.
  • Centers for Disease Control - A website with information about medical and disease topics of all types.
  • Center for Clinical Interventions - A website with information on psychotherapy, research, and training. Information (InfoPax) available for download on anxiety and/or depression, including a number of modules that you can complete online, or you can save the modules to your computer and work through them onscreen in your own time. Alternatively, you can print out the modules and work through them by hand.
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy Self-Help Resources - A website with free down-loadable therapy worksheets & CBT tools.
  • Drug Information Database - Drug information provided via the American Academy of Family Physicians.
  • Helpguide - Expert, non-commercial information about Mental Health & Lifelong Wellness.
  • Med Help International - A website with a variety of resources for medical topics of all types.
  • Mental Health Information & Support the largest consumer mental health site, providing comprehensive information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and expert point of view.
  • National Center of Excellence in Women's Health UCSF Medical Center site providing comprehensive health care for women, as well as educating tomorrow’s health care providers about the principles of women’s health through professional education programs.
  • Stop AIDS Project works to prevent HIV transmission in San Francisco through multicultural, community-based organizing, resources, special events, and fund raising.
  • WebMD - Health related topics of all kinds.

Learning Disabilities

Pornography Addiction

Positive Psychology

  • AuthenticHappiness.Org - Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment.
  • How to Contend Being Your Own Harshest Critic - Have you ever done something you regret? Faced a difficult or painful experience? Made a mistake? Performed poorly on a test or presentation?.....With all of the external pressures imposed upon college students today, fielding the criticisms of a harsh internal voice provides an additional challenge. Learning to be more compassionate and kind toward one’s self may be a powerful tool.

Relationships & Sexual Abuse

  • "When the Relationship's Over" - Letting go of a high maintenance/toxic/abusive relationship
  • Co-Dependents Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships.
  • Am I in an Abusive Relationship? - Warning Signs of abusive relationships and helpful resources.
  • RAINN - the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of "America's 100 Best Charities" by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
  • We Love Consent - USFtv Video Campaign - Informative video produced by USFtv on the importance of consent.
  • Myth Busting: Bullying on College Campuses - The topic of bullying often is associated with younger students, however, students in higher education, be they at the undergraduate or graduate level, are not immune to these behaviors.

Sexual Orientation

  • LYRIC- Lavender Youth Recreation Information Center provides programs and resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities.
  • National Youth Advocacy Coalition provides information, resources and ways to learn about legislation decisions, for and with young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) in an effort to end discrimination against these youth and to ensure their physical and emotional well being.
  • PFLAG- Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays - A volunteer organization with grass-roots affiliates. They provide resources, group membership, and education which seek to help change negative attitudes and to create an environment of understanding so that all gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans gendered people can live with dignity and respect.

Sleep

  • Smartphones - Staring at screens right before sleep turns out to be a lot worse than previously thought. Dr. Dan Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, lays out all of the negative effects bedtime screen viewing can have on the brain and body.

Smoking

  • About Smoking - Links to websites dedicated to providing information on quitting smoking, therapy as well as testimonials by people who have quit smoking and what helped them.
  • Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) - A National Charitable Anti-smoking & Nonsmokers' Rights Organization with smoking statistics, quitting smoking, smoking risks, and other smoking information.
  • American Cancer Society - provides help and assistance in matters regarding cancer survivors, supporters, and health information. Also provides information on resources and volunteer opportunities.
  • American Heart Association - provides resources and links to leading a healthier life. Gives information on warning signs as well as the various health conditions that can occur.
  • American Lung Association of California - provides information on lung disease as well as resources on volunteering and taking action in your community. Resources also cover local news on asthma, air quality, and diesel pollution, etc.
  • CDC's Tobacco Information and Prevention Sources (TIPS) - Provides useful resources on preventing smoking, educational materials, as well as information on how to quit smoking.
  • Clean Break - This site provides six online learning sessions, interactive homework with feedback, as well as individual telephone and e-mail counseling. This site provides six online learning sessions, interactive homework with feedback, as well as individual telephone and e-mail counseling.
  • Health Promotion Services (HPS) Stop Smoking Resources:  one-on-one with peer educators a some other free things as well, like Nicorette gum and lozenges and a free app called, Kwit.
  • National Cancer Institute - Provides information on cancer research and funding, as well as discussion on cancer topics, and various statistics on cancer.
  • SmokeFree.Gov - Provides links and resources on how to quit smoking. Has an online guide and provides the ability to talk to an expert who can help you to quit smoking.
  • QuitNet - Launched in 1995, QuitNet is one of the web's original quit smoking sites. QuitNet operates in association with Boston University School of Public Health and is dedicated to the assistance of helping smokers to quit with a support from professionals and people who have quit smoking. The website provides community support for smokers with expert advice and statistics.

Stress

  • Strategies for Surviving the First Day of Classes - If you’re feeling a little anxious or stressed about starting the school year with new classmates and unfamiliar professors, you’re not alone.
  • Fly Guy - take some time out with this stress relief game.
  • Relaxation Exercises - This links to Hobart and William Smith Colleges site which provides two relaxation exercises that can be downloaded.

Suicide Prevention

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Assistance by phone 24/7
  • CrisisChat - Online emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services
  • American Association of Suicidology - an educational resource on suicide, crisis centers, support groups, treatment, and upcoming events. They do not provide direct services.
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - provides information on funding research, developing prevention initiatives. Also offers educational programs and conferences for survivors, mental health professionals, physicians and the public.
  • The Jed Foundation - provides programs, important facts, and information about depression in order to strengthen the mental health safety net for college students.
  • San Francisco Suicide Prevention - provides telephone intervention to people experiencing suicidal crisis as well as general counseling services 24 hours a day.
  • Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention - Provides information on suicide teen help, advice, awareness, education, prevention, intervention, as well as valuable resources.

Test Anxiety

  • Managing Test Anxiety - A site provided by the University of Western Ontario on how to manage test anxiety.

Time Management

Veterans

  • Resources from Ken Pope, Ph.D., ABPP
  • Swords to Plowshares- All veterans are welcome regardless of their length of service or military discharge status. Their case managers and intake staff help stabilize veterans with crisis intervention, mental health assessments and treatment referrals, case management, and in-house and community referrals among a number of other services.