Student Resources
Tools and guides created specifically for college and university students navigating mental health.
Student Mental Health Self-Assessment
An evidence-based, confidential screening tool to help you understand your current mental health status. Covers anxiety, depression, stress, and overall wellbeing — with personalized resource recommendations based on your results.
- Validated PHQ-9 and GAD-7 based questions
- Instant results with interpretation guide
- Personalized next-step recommendations
- Completely private — no data stored
Campus Support Services Finder
An interactive tool to help students locate mental health services at their institution. Search by school name to find counseling centers, crisis hotlines, and peer support programs.
- Search 3,000+ institutions
- Direct links to campus counseling services
- 24/7 crisis resource integration
- Telehealth options included
Student Advocacy Toolkit
A practical, step-by-step guide for students who want to create lasting change in mental health support on their campus. From building coalitions to meeting with administrators.
- Campaign planning & goal setting
- Coalition-building strategies
- Meeting preparation guides
- Self-care for advocates
Peer Support Program Guide
A framework for launching or strengthening a peer mental health support program on your campus. Includes volunteer recruitment, training modules, and program sustainability tips.
- Volunteer recruitment templates
- Peer listener training outline
- Confidentiality & boundaries guidance
- Program evaluation tools
Student Wellness & Self-Care Planning Guide
A structured guide to help students build sustainable mental wellness habits during the academic year — including stress management, sleep hygiene, and resilience strategies.
- Academic stress management techniques
- Weekly wellness planning templates
- Crisis safety planning worksheet
- Resource quick-reference card
Educator Resources
Training materials and quick-reference guides to help faculty and staff support student mental health.
Faculty Warning Signs Reference Card
A printable single-page reference card for busy educators. Quickly identify warning signs of student distress and know exactly how to respond and make appropriate referrals.
- Academic, behavioral & emotional warning signs
- Conversation starters for difficult topics
- Referral pathway flowchart
- Fillable campus contacts section
Campus Crisis Response Quick Guide
Evidence-based protocols for responding to mental health emergencies on campus. Covers recognition, de-escalation, contacting help, post-crisis follow-up, and supporting recovery.
- 4-level crisis recognition framework
- Step-by-step emergency protocols
- De-escalation communication techniques
- Post-crisis documentation checklist
Mental Health First Aid Overview
An introduction to Mental Health First Aid concepts for faculty and staff, including how to recognize the signs of mental illness and substance use disorders and how to offer support.
- ALGEE action plan framework
- Common mental health conditions overview
- When and how to refer for professional help
- Training program recommendations
Institutional Resources
Policy frameworks, partnership guides, and implementation tools for college administrators and mental health professionals.
Campus Mental Health Policy Framework
A fully customizable, 12-section policy template providing the foundation for comprehensive mental health programs. Includes a legal compliance checklist and implementation timeline.
- Service delivery tiers (Universal → Intensive)
- Crisis response protocol framework
- ADA, FERPA, HIPAA compliance checklist
- 6-phase implementation timeline
Institutional Partnership Guide
Learn how to join the Student Mental Health Policy Alliance. Covers partnership tiers, benefits, the onboarding process, and how to make the most of your Alliance membership.
- Community, Standard, Premier & Founding tiers
- Access to policy templates & peer network
- Annual SMHPA Summit invitation
- Reduced rates for financial hardship
Campus Mental Health Needs Assessment Template
A structured tool to help administrators evaluate their current mental health infrastructure, identify gaps, and prioritize areas for improvement before implementing new policies.
- Service inventory worksheet
- Student-to-counselor ratio benchmarking
- Equity & accessibility audit checklist
- Stakeholder engagement planning
Campus Mental Health Data & Research Brief
A summary of current national data on college student mental health trends, including prevalence rates, service utilization gaps, and evidence-based intervention outcomes.
- Current national prevalence statistics
- Wait time and access gap data
- Evidence-based intervention outcomes
- Citation-ready for grant applications
Legislative & Policy Advocacy
Tools to help you advocate for stronger mental health policy at the campus, state, and federal levels.
Legislative Advocacy Starter Guide
A practical guide to engaging with legislators on campus mental health policy — from writing effective letters to scheduling meetings with your representatives. Includes key federal legislation to know including the CCBHC expansion (S.3402) and Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act.
- How to contact your elected officials
- Key federal legislation overview
- Letter-writing templates & talking points
- State-level advocacy strategies
Campus Advocacy Network
Connect with student advocates across the country through Griffin Ambitions' Campus Advocacy Network. Get additional training, share proven strategies, and join the national movement for student mental health policy reform.
- National network of student advocates
- Peer-to-peer strategy sharing
- Monthly virtual convenings
- Access to additional training materials
If You Need Help Right Now
Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
🚨 Crisis & Emergency Contacts
Help is always available. You don't have to face this alone.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988Call or text 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
Emergency Services
911For immediate danger to life — call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
SAMHSA Helpline
1-800-662-4357Substance abuse and mental health referral service. Free, confidential, 24/7.
Trevor Project (LGBTQ+)
1-866-488-7386Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people.
Trans Lifeline
877-565-8860Peer support for transgender people. Staffed by and for the trans community.
Trusted External Organizations
Additional resources from our network of trusted mental health organizations and advocacy groups.
Active Minds
The nation's premiere nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults.
JED Foundation
Protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for teens and young adults through campus programs.
NAMI on Campus
Student-led groups providing mental health support, education, and advocacy at colleges across the country.
988 Lifeline
The national network providing free, confidential emotional support to people in crisis, 24 hours a day.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Funds research, creates educational programs, advocates for public policy, and supports survivors.
Mental Health First Aid
An 8-hour training program that teaches skills to respond to mental health and substance use challenges.
The Trevor Project
Providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs for LGBTQ+ young people under 25.
SAMHSA
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — data, grants, treatment locator, and policy guidance.