Help is available.

If you need to speak with someone immediately, you can:

• Call or text the Suicide and Crisis hotline at 988
• If you or a UH community member needs mental health crisis support please call 713-743-5454 anytime. If you have a life-threatening emergency, dial 911.

These services are available 24/7.

On Campus Resources

CAPS

CAPS is located at Health 2 and is open to visits from 10 am to 4 pm. If you need to speak with CAPS after hours, you can reach them at 713-743-5454.

CAPS has triage hours from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Give us a call and we will connect you to an available CAPS counselor who will talk with you, hear your concerns, and help determine what service is most likely to address your needs. If CAPS is not able to meet your specific needs, we will work with you to connect you to a provider that can

Suicide Prevention Training

QPR, which stands for "Question, Persuade, Refer", is a nationally recognized suicide prevention program designed to educate persons to recognize and respond to the signs of suicidal thinking or behavior. Research has shown that persons who ultimately attempt suicide often provide numerous direct or indirect clues as to their intentions, and the goal of this training is to recognize these verbal, behavioral, or situational clues and take steps to get the person professional help. The presentation helps persons learn how to ask the suicide question, how to persuade the person to contact appropriate assistance, and how to identify referral options. Once trained, these persons act as gatekeepers for the campus community, informed and ready to intervene on behalf of individuals considering suicide.

Visit the CAPS QPR webpage to sign up for one of their upcoming workshops!

Let’s Talk

Let's Talk - mental health consultations with a CAPS clinician are in-person or virtual (by audio or video). Any member of the UH community can access Let’s Talk by entering the zoom waiting room during the hours listed. Know that you can call CAPS if you need immediate assistance at 713-743-5454.

Visit the CAPS CAPS Let's Talk webpage for more information.

Coping Skills

1. Keep a normal routine

The past year abruptly changed everyone’s normal and familiar routines, which ultimately affected student mental health. Students should keep a structured routine that mirrors what they would do if they were still on campus full-time. Maintaining consistency can be accomplished through simple things, such as waking up around the same time, eating three meals a day, exercising, writing down daily goals to accomplish, and maintaining hygiene.

2. Watch nutrition and diet

College life is best known by the stereotype of the “freshman 15.” With a hectic schedule and moving from class to class, students don’t always focus on the nutrition of the food they’re eating. However, what and when we eat can directly impact how we feel. Maintain nutrition by eating three balanced meals per day and snacking in moderation. It can be easy to eat what you might consider “junk” food as a coping mechanism while stuck at home but avoid doing so as much as possible.

3. Take a break

Make time to do things beyond coursework and studying by adding self-care to your daily routine. To avoid having negative thoughts, take deep breaths and repeat positive affirmations to yourself to practice mindfulness. When you feel symptoms of anxiety arising, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) suggests trying to get enough sleep, limit alcohol and caffeine, count to 10 slowly, and practice relaxation techniques.

4. Stay connected with others

Being around people that you care about and who make you feel comfortable can help decrease stress. Make an effort to reach out and connect with loved ones daily. Social media can be a great way to keep up-to-date with friends and family members, but set limits to make sure it doesn’t affect your mental health. Using video calls for face-to-face conversations is another way to maintain your well-being and reduce stressors.

5. Consider speaking with a mental health professional

If you feel like you’re experiencing unhealthy levels of anxiety or stress, seeking help is a way to better understand the physical symptoms that you may be experiencing. Exploring different mental health services that your school offers to help manage overwhelming anxiety or stress is nothing to be ashamed of and will be beneficial in the long run.