Crisis Assistance & Resource Education Support

The Sacramento State Crisis Assistance & Resource Education Support (CARES) provides support to students who are in crisis or experiencing unique challenges to their education. The office provides case management services to connect students with campus and community resources to address a variety of issues including, but not limited to:

• Food Insecurity
• Housing Insecurity and Referrals to Emergency Housing Programs
• Referrals to Mental Health & Wellness Services
• Post Hospitalization Liaison with Faculty
• Transportation Barriers

Mental Health Support

If you or some you know is experiencing a mental health crisis and in need of someone to talk to, please know help is available. You are Not Alone!

• Urgent Care Counseling is available for Sac State students on the 1^st floor of The WELL for those who are in an immediate crisis. No appointment is needed. Please visit edu/shcs for current hours. If you need support after hours, contact the 24/7 nurse advice line at 916-278-6461.
• Meet one on one with a licensed clinician for individual counseling or group therapy for mental health support. For more information and up to date appointment availability call 916-278-6461.
• Peer Counselors are available for additional support and resource for students to promote safety and well-being at Sac State. Peer Counselors are current students who are trained to be supportive, helpful listeners, and problem solvers who offer a non-judgmental and confidential space to discuss any concerns.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by phone or text at 9-8-8.
• Crisis Text Line is available by texting “TALK” to 741-741 or texting “STEVE” to 741-741 speak to a BIPOC counselor for support.
• California Warm Peer Line, is 24/7 non-emergency support available by phone at 1-855-845-7415 to talk to a peer counselor with lived experience.
• Veteran’s Crisis Line is available at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) or text “Veteran” to 838-255 for 24/7 support.
• National Suicide Prevention Deaf and Hard of Hearing Lifeline is available by phone 1-800-273-8255 (TTY 1-800-799-4889) for 24/7 video replay service.
• Trevor Project is available by calling 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678 for 24/7 suicide and prevention information resources for LGBTQ youth.

Sexual Assault & Violence Support

• WEAVE’s Campus Confidential Advocate offers support for those who have or are experiencing intimate partner violence, sexual violence, stalking, or human trafficking. Provides confidential support, resources & information, support through reporting options, advocacy and accompaniment, WEAVE counseling and connections to campus resources.
• WEAVE is available on campus at Student Health & Counseling Services Urgent Care or 24/7 support is available by phone at 916-920-2952 or https://www.weaveinc.org/.
• Physical, mental and emotional support is available at Student Health and Counseling Services, located at the WELL. Urgent Care is available for walk-ins during business hours. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment with a primary care health provider through the Patient Portal. Please call 916-278-6461 for up-to-date counseling appointment available. If you need support after hours, contact the 24/7 nurse advice line at 916-278-6461.
• Get confidential support by calling the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or Live Chat Online.
• My Sister’s House is an intimate partner violence organization in Sacramento that focuses on helping members of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities and other underserved women and children impacted by intimate partner violence. Get peer support, counseling, and more at 916-930-0626. Contact their 24/7 multilingual hotline at 916-428-3271.

Support and reporting options are available through Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO)

OEO fosters an equitable environment for the Sac State community that free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation as well as interpersonal violence (sexual and relationship violence, stalking). OEO responds to incident reports, consulting with campus partners, and delivering educational programs for students and employees.

• Incidents can be reported to Office for Equal Opportunity through the University's online form. OEO provides Supportive Measures for those who have experienced or been impacted by interpersonal violence, to help remove barriers to their success at Sacramento State. OEO also provides investigations and resolution agreements under the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy.
• OEO can be reached at equalopportunity@csus.edu or 916-278-5770.

Tips for supporting a survivor who discloses to you:

• Thank survivors for trusting you if they choose to disclose to you.
• Inform a survivor if you are a mandated reporter.
• Ask how you can help them.
• Listen without judgment.
• Encourage them to utilize campus or community resources listed on this page for additional help and support.

Sacramento State Police Department

• The Sac State Police Department is available 24/7 at 916-278-6000.
• Blue light emergency call boxes are located in several spots on campus, including parking lots. When a blue light is used to call 911, the call is automatically routed to the Sac State Police Department. Hornet Safety Escorts are available on campus by calling 916-278-7260.

How to Support Someone Experiencing a Crisis

A supportive conversation can be life changing, feeling seen and heard can make a difference. The support you provide, even just through listening, may be exactly what someone may need during a crisis.

When someone is experiencing a crisis, it can feel challenging to know how to offer support. Active listening and offering time to understand a person’s situation and help them know they are heard can be a good start.

Validate-Appreciate-Refer

V-A-R, Validate-Appreciate-Refer, is an easy to remember tool from Active Minds for everyday conversations. These three easy-to-use steps provide a path to active listening and responding in a meaningful and helpful way.

• VALIDATE Their Feelings: Let them know what they are feeling is okay and you believe them. Examples include: “That sounds difficult.” or “I am sorry to hear you are struggling right now.
• APPRECIATE Their Courage: Speaking up and sharing can be challenging for anyone, let them know sharing with you takes courage and it is a great step forward. It also shows you are there to support them. Examples include: “Thank you for sharing with me, it can be difficult to share sometimes.” or “It helps to know what you are going through.”
• REFER to Support: We don’t have to be trained professionals to support someone in the moment. It is important to refer the person to trained professionals and resources who may continue to support them. You can support the individual as they decide what referrals would be most helpful in the situation. Help is available on and off campus. This step is most effective when you form support available in a question. This allows the individual to choose what is best for them. Examples include: “What would be the most helpful for you in this moment, how can I best support you?” or “Let’s take a walk and get some fresh air and chat about the resources available on or off campus.” or “Do you think it is helpful to talk to someone? I can stay with you while we call or text the crisis lifeline?”
  
  

Training

The Art of Helping Students in Distress Workshop

This workshop, hosted by Student Health and Counseling Services, is for faculty, staff, and student workers on how to support and assist students experiencing heightened emotional distress. Participants will learn and build confidence in recognizing common signs of distress and implementing helping behaviors, including: active listening, referring to appropriate resources, and identifying examples of self-care they can utilize in daily life. Contact Cathy Rojas at c.rojas@csus.edu for more information.