Navigating Mental Wellness: A Guide to UCLA's Mental Health Resources

For students navigating the pressures of university life, access to mental health resources is paramount. UCLA provides a comprehensive network of support services designed to foster well-being and address a wide range of mental health needs. This article explores the various resources available to UCLA students, including counseling services, crisis support, and specialized programs.

Immediate Support and Crisis Intervention

In times of crisis, immediate access to support is crucial. CAPS counselors are available 24/7 by phone at 310-825-0768, providing a vital lifeline for students in distress. The Compassionate Response (CORE) team, a new CAPS program, delivers on-campus mental health support to students in crisis within the Westwood campus perimeter. This team offers behavioral health wellness checks, crisis support, and intervention services to registered UCLA students. Additionally, for emergencies, students are advised to call 911.

External Crisis Resources

Beyond UCLA's immediate resources, external support systems are available. The Disaster Distress Helpline offers free, 24/7 support to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Therapy Shortcut, in the past, offered free therapy for those affected by the LA fires.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) serves as the central hub for student mental health on the UCLA campus. CAPS is committed to promoting inclusion and the affirmation of individual and cultural diversity. As a multidisciplinary student mental health center, CAPS supports the academic and student development missions of the University and the Division of Student Affairs. CAPS offers a variety of services to meet student needs, designed to foster the development of healthy well-being.

CAPS Services

CAPS provides a range of services, including:

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Crisis counseling (available by phone 24/7)
Emergency intervention
Individual counseling and psychotherapy
Group therapy
Psychiatric evaluation and treatment
Psychoeducational programs and workshops for students, staff, and faculty
Campus mental health and wellness promotion

Accessing CAPS

CAPS is located in the John Wooden Center West, 221 Westwood Plaza (Bruin Plaza). Parking Structure 4 (P4) is the closest parking facility. To reach CAPS from the parking structure, follow the directions provided by UCLA: either walk towards the soccer and intramural fields, take a left, and find the entrance before Bruin Walk, or exit by the Wooden Center gym, turn right, and find the entrance across from the soccer and intramural fields.

Eligibility

Current students, past students of the most previous academic term, and other UC campus students are eligible to be seen at CAPS.

UCLA Behavioral Health Associates (BHA) and the Behavioral Health Network (BHN)

UCLA Health recognizes the importance of integrating mental and physical health. The UCLA Behavioral Health Associates (BHA) clinics are designed to support patients’ emotional well-being by working in partnership with UCLA Health primary care physicians to provide comprehensive care for mind and body.

BHA Program Highlights

Recognized Excellence: UCLA Health is consistently ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Access to Care: BHA provides services in multiple locations, including telemedicine appointments.
Range of Treatment Options: Services include psychiatric stabilization with medication, individual, couples or family therapy, and group therapy. Patients can also be referred to more intensive treatment at the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, if needed.

BHA Services

BHA offers a range of services, including:

Psychiatry: Psychiatrists collaborate with primary care physicians to prescribe medications and manage their use.
Individual, Couples, or Family Psychotherapy: BHA emphasizes Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), focusing on finding solutions to manage current life challenges. Treatment plans are limited to 12 sessions for adults and 20 sessions for pediatric patients within a six-month period.
Group Psychotherapy: Group sessions provide an opportunity to meet others with similar symptoms or challenges, facilitated by a licensed provider.

UCLA Behavioral Health Network (BHN)

The UCLA Behavioral Health Network (BHN) is a network of community-based therapists and psychiatrists who partner with UCLA primary care teams and the BHA program. BHN offers continued care for individuals who may benefit from ongoing mental health services beyond the brief, solution-focused care provided through UCLA BHA.

BHN Offerings

Personalized, Longer-Term Support: BHN providers offer longer-term therapy or psychiatric care.
Flexible Appointment Options: Many BHN providers offer telehealth visits.
Coordinated Care: BHN providers work closely with UCLA primary care doctors and the UCLA BHA team.

Conditions Treated

Specialists at UCLA treat a wide range of behavioral, emotional, and mental health conditions, including:

Anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Treatments Offered

Behavioral Health Associates providers primarily use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help patients find solutions to current life challenges. This approach focuses on setting goals and identifying steps to meet those goals and resolve problems. If long-term therapy is needed, specialists can provide referrals to other psychotherapy providers.

Additional Campus Resources

Beyond CAPS and BHA/BHN, UCLA offers a variety of other resources to support student mental health.

Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE)

CARE provides support, consultation, and advocacy for student survivors of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. They also offer trauma-informed yoga for student survivors.

Campus and Student Resilience Programs

UCLA offers two programs focused on resilience:

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Depression Grand Challenge: Students can participate in an internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) program for depression and anxiety.
Resilience Peer Network: Students can connect with Resilience Peers after completing the iCBT program.

UCLA Psychology Clinic

The UCLA Psychology Clinic provides low-fee individual and group psychotherapy, as well as diagnostic assessments.

Collegiate Recovery Program

The Collegiate Recovery Program offers individual support and weekly recovery meetings for students in recovery from substance use or other addictive behaviors.

ASHE Smoking Cessation Program

The ASHE smoking cessation program provides resources and support for students who want to quit smoking.

Research Opportunities

Students may have the opportunity to receive treatment and/or assessment through various research projects on campus.

Peer Support and Online Resources

Peer Counselors

Students can get involved in student groups and associations through the Student Organizations, Leadership & Engagement (SOLE).

Online, Phone, and Text Resources

CAPS provides a list of online resources and apps to support mental health.

Additional Resources

Low-Cost Confidential Legal Counseling: Provides legal assistance to all currently registered and enrolled UCLA students.
Mindfulness Classes: Offers 6-week long mindfulness classes in various locations around Los Angeles and online, as well as lunchtime drop-in meditation sessions.
Harbor Urgent Care Center (HUCC): Located in Torrance, CA, on the Harbor UCLA Medical Center Campus.
Exodus Recovery 24-hour Psychiatric Urgent Care Center: Offers a recovery-based environment for individuals in crisis, providing assessment for stabilization services, medication evaluation and management, or in-patient hospitalization if necessary.
Conflict Resolution Resources: Resources addressing issues related to interactions with faculty advisers, lab members, or other members of the UCLA community, as well as issues with research/academic progress.

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