Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health is the promotion of mental health, resilience, and wellbeing; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities (US Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration). The resources shared below are meant to serve youth in our area regardless of UW student status. 

For information related to support in your region call 211. 

2‑1‑1 provides access to your local community services. 2‑1‑1 is available in multiple languages, allowing those in need to access information and obtain referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions. 

Crisis Support

If you or a loved one are in need of immediate mental health support, please call 988 or visit their webpage. 

The 988 Lifeline offers free, confidential, 24/7/365 support for thoughts of suicide, substance use concerns, and any other type of emotional distress. Trained crisis counselors who answer calls, texts, and chats can listen, offer support, and provide helpful resources. Call, Text, and chat available. People who contact 988 have options for specialized support: 

• Option 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line 

• Option 2 to get crisis support in Spanish 

• Option 4 to connect to the Native and Strong Lifeline, which supports American Indian and Alaska Native people with a Washington area code 

Crisis Connections (24/7)

Call 866-427-4747. Families residing in King County can also access mobile crisis response through the Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System through Crisis Connections. 

Crisis Text Line (24/7)

Texting support for times of crisis. Provides resources on topics like isolation, anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, bullying, relationships, suicide, and self-harm. Text HOME to 741-741.

HearMeWA (24/7)

Offers secure, free 24/7 support for youth and young adults experiencing stress, anxiety, violent threats, sexual abuse, or anything that makes life hard. Trained professionals answer calls, texts, and online tips. HearMeWA was developed by and for Washington's youth with the Attorney General's Office.

Trevor Project (24/7)

The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth offers free, confidential, 24/7 support. Call, text or chat. 

Teen Link (6-10pm)

Teen volunteers are trained to listen to your concerns and talk with you about whatever’s on your mind – bullying, drug and alcohol concerns, relationships, stress, depression or any other issues you’re facing. No issue is too big or too small! Calls and chats are confidential. 1-866-teenlink (1-866-833-6546). Call, Text, and chat available.

Behavioral Health Support

Seattle Children's Psychiatric Urgent Care (noon-8pm)

Provides same-day in-person and video visits for urgent mental and behavioral health concerns not needing the care of an emergency department. Serving children and teens ages 4 through 17, their team of pediatric-focused licensed mental health therapists, family advocates/case managers, psychiatric advanced practice providers (APPs) and medical assistants provide crisis assessment, initial care recommendations and referrals to follow-up care in the community. If in-person visits are full, please get in the virtual line for a video visit.

Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens (8am-5pm, M-F)

Connects families with mental health providers in your community who accept new patients, work with your insurance and fit your child’s treatment needs. The Referral Service is accessible to children and teens 17 and under living in Washington state. Teens between the ages of 13 and 17 can also call the Referral Service to find providers for themselves.

City of Seattle Youth Mental Wellness Resources

The City of Seattle offers a range of free and low barrier for youth up to age 24 who live or go to school in Seattle. Virtual and Telehealth options are available. 

Substance Use Resources

The Washington Recovery Help Line (24/7)

The Washington Recovery Help Line is an anonymous and confidential help line that provides crisis intervention and referral services for Washington State residents. Professionally trained volunteers and staff are available to provide emotional support 24 hours a day, and offer local treatment resources for substance abuse, problem gambling and mental health as well as to other community services. Call 1-866-789-1511.

SAMHSA National Helpline (24/7)

English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

Additional Resources

• Overdose Response/Prevention

• Seattle Al-Anon and Alateen

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Information for Teens

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Information for Parents

Gender Based Violence, Sexual Assault & Abuse Support

myPlan App

A free app to help with safety decisions if you, or someone you care about, is experiencing abuse in their intimate relationship. It’s private, secure, personalized, & backed by research. 

DV Hopeline (24/7) 

A confidential domestic violence hotline available for people in Washington State. Call 1-877-737-0242 or 206-737-0242. 

National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7)

Provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence. Callers to the 24/7 Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages. 1-800-799-7233

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (24/7)

Serves survivors and their families throughout King County and engaging communities in building a world without sexual assault. 888-988-6423

Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center (24/7)

Offers a wide variety of services led by an experienced and integrative team. Services can include 24/7 availability of care for sexual assault through Harborview ED, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, therapy services, and Foster Care Assessment Program (FCAP). 206-744-1600

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) (24/7)

RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (24/7) (1-800-656-HOPE, online.rainn.org and rainn.org/es). 

A Washington State Resource for Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Care provides Information about emergency medical care and evidence collection after a sexual assault. 

If you are a UW community member that has experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, sexual harassment, or other forms of gender-based violence, you can contact the confidential advocacy office associated with your campus during regular business hours. If you are following the university’s Title IX protocol  please leave a message or email with your contact information so we can follow up with you the next business day. Contacts: Seattle (students): lwadvoc@uw.edu, Faculty/Staff (all campuses): lwadvoc@uw.edu  

UW Specific Services

UW Counseling Center (UWCC). The UWCC provides services via secure Zoom and in person. Services are provided at no charge to currently-enrolled, degree-seeking UW students thanks to support by the Services and Activities Fee. Services included Let's Talk (drop in, no appointment needed), Workshops, Groups, Crisis Resources and 24/7 care, Short Term Counseling, Paws 4 a Break (therapy dogs), and consultation services. UWCC also provides a database of resources for ongoing, regular mental health support.  Call 206-543-1240 during regular business hours or visit their website to schedule. 

Safe Campus. Safe Campus is the University of Washington’s violence-prevention and response Program. We support students, staff, faculty and community members in preventing violence. We answer calls and emails (safecampus@uw.edu), Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm excluding UW holidays. If you are calling after-hours, please see our after-hours resource guide. In urgent or dangerous situations, call 911. 

Husky Assist. Husky Assist is a new UW mobile response team that provides on-site behavioral health support for students, faculty and staff in crisis on the UW campus in Seattle. You can call on Husky Assist when you or a student, faculty or staff member is facing an urgent mental health or substance use issue on the Seattle campus. Husky Assist is available 11a.m.-8 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Husky Health Center. Husky Health Center is an outpatient medical clinic providing comprehensive healthcare primarily to University of Washington Seattle students.  Some on-campus health services are subsidized by the Services & Activities Fee, which all matriculated UW Seattle students pay.  Regardless of your insurance status, the Husky Health Center team is here to help you! This guide answers common questions about health insurance and how to use it while you are a student at the University of Washington.

Disability Resources for Students. DRS is dedicated to ensuring access and inclusion for all students with disabilities on the Seattle campus. DRS serves 5,000+ students with either temporary or permanent physical, health, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities. Students partner with our office to establish services for their access and inclusion on campus.