Mental Health Initiatives
OFFICE HOURS: Monday – Thursday: 8:00am to 5:00pm • Friday: 8:00am to 3:00pm
AFTER-HOURS CRISIS SUPPORT & VICTIM ASSISTANCE: 303-615-9911
Mental Health Initiatives
The Health Center at Auraria has a variety of programs, services and collaborations focusing on the promotion of positive mental health activities and skills, early identification of mental health concerns and seeking support services. Presentation Requests for mental health topics are available for classrooms and department offices.
Trainings and Workshops
Peer 2 Peer
This workshop is primarily offered to students and student employees of the Auraria Campus. Through this interactive workshop attendees will gain the knowledge, confidence and capability to support their peers when in need. Mental health awareness, identification of warning signs, practical support strategies and discussion of campus resources will all serve to build participants’ capacity to provide early intervention and other necessary support. This workshop is offered based on request.
Roadrunner 3R Training
These professional development opportunities are intended to train faculty and staff to recognize/identify student behaviors and actions that would likely benefit by an appropriate referral to one of the University sponsored agencies who can assist students in addressing their needs. Attendance is specifically encouraged for those with little to no mental health, crisis or early intervention training but all personnel are welcome. In addition to scheduled trainings, departmental training requests can also be accommodated.
Roadrunner 3R: Basic
An introductory training course that is hosted in Workday. This course is highly recommended as a prerequisite to Roadrunner 3R: Advanced. STAY TUNED FOR LAUNCH!
Roadrunner 3R: Advanced
Live, in-person scenario-based training during which time you will have the opportunity to consult with representatives from the MSU Denver Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office and Health Center at Auraria.
September 5th, 11:00am-12:00pm | REGISTER HERE
October 7th, 4:00pm-5:00pm | REGISTER HERE
November 6th, 4:00pm-5:00pm | REGISTER HERE
December 2nd, 11:00am-12:00pm | REGISTER HERE
Mental Health Tabling
The Health Center at Auraria promotes awareness of numerous mental health topics by tabling across campus. You may find Peer Health Educators bringing awareness to topics like Depression, Stress/Anxiety, Stigma, Suicide Prevention and/or Substance Use through interactive activities and offering information for both on and off-campus support resources.
Wellness Redefined Workshops
This is a workshop series that aims to take a holistic view of mental health and wellness. Each workshop equips students with knowledge and simple skills to help improve and maintain personal wellbeing. Topics rotate and may include Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Financial and/or Social Wellness.
Common Signs of Mental Illness
People have good days and bad, and the stressors of college life can throw our lives out of balance. If you or someone you know struggles with symptoms for longer than two weeks or you are finding that symptoms are significantly impacting your daily functioning, additional support may be needed. Below is a list of common warning signs.
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling excessively sad or low
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
- Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
- Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Changes in sex drive
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don’t exist in objective reality)
- Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (lack of insight or anosognosia)
- Abuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
- Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
- Thinking about suicide
- Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
- An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
How to Provide Support
You don’t have to be a professional or have specific training to be able to offer support to someone. Just being present can send a powerful message of caring to those who may be struggling. Below are some additional tips on how you could provide support for someone in need.
- Keep your voice calm
- Listen to the person
- Use “I” statements to reduce feelings of shame or guilt
- Express concern as well as your willingness to support them
- Express why you are concerned
- Ask how you can help
- Be patient
- Recognize your limits
- Have important emergency contact numbers readily accessible
Don’t make promises to keep information private. Some concerns should be shared with professionals. Especially when immediate safety is an issue.
Crisis Support
Walk-in to or call the Health Center at Auraria during business hours for Crisis Support.
You can also call the 24/7 Mental Health and Victim Assistance Crisis Line at 303-615-9911.
If you have a concern about yourself or someone else on campus, please file a CARE Team Referral. Any student, faculty, staff or others can file a CARE Referral.
Additional Mental Health Resources
Campus Resources
CCD Counseling Center
Appointments for CCD Students.
Tivoli 245 | 303-352-3205
MSU Denver Counseling Center
Appointments for MSU Denver Students.
Tivoli 651 | 303-615-9988
CU Denver Counseling Center
Appointments for CU Denver Students.
Tivoli 454 | 303-315-7270
Online Resources
Colorado Wellness Recovery
This resource page provides Colorado-specific resources for both mental health and substance use recovery.
Free Guided Meditations
Numerous guided meditations in both English and Spanish as well as access to the UCLA Mindful app.
National Institute of Mental Health
Educational information on common diagnoses, treatments and medication, as well as population-specific resources.
National Association of Mental Illness College Guide
A helpful guide for college students and families on having a conversation around mental health, treatment options, privacy rights, offering support and reducing stigma.
Transitioning your mental healthcare
A guide created by the JED Foundation that provides information specifically to individuals looking to transition their mental health or medical care to a new provider.
Ulifeline
A resource for college students to explore various mental health conditions, how to communicate with a friend for whom they are concerned, and connect with various wellness resources.
Mental Health Apps
Calm
Ideal for meditation and mindfulness, addressing areas such as sleep, stress, and anxiety.
Headspace
Ideal for stress reduction and to help with quality sleep.
Insight Timer
One of the largest libraries of free meditations and mindfulness exercises.
Life Armor
Made for the military community, this app provides educational information on substance abuse, depression, anger, life stress, sleep, and work adjustment.
Sanvello
Offers a range of strategies, as well as mood tracking, designed to help with stress, anxiety and depression.
Stop, Breathe, and Think
Offers a variety of activities to help with mindfulness as well tracking individual mood/symptom progress.
Super Better
This app uses a gaming model to encourage positive behavior change.
Virtual HopeBox
This app provides options for inspiration, relaxation, distractions and coping tools.
Schedule an appointment
Please note there is a failed appointment fee of up to $50.00 for missed appointments or short notice cancellations (less than 24 hours).
