Cornell University

Mental Health at Cornell

Resources for student & campus wellbeing

Support for Students: Ithaca Campus

Students on Uris Library balcony

We all need help sometimes. Services and resources are available at Cornell and designed to bolster undergraduate, graduate, and professional student success for all aspects of their lives. There are times when you feel balanced and are managing your stress well, however, you might be curious about ways to enhance your health and well-being. Services and resources at Cornell are available to you when you need them, regardless of your level of distress.

Navigating Resources

This page includes resources, both on and off campus, available to support you on the Ithaca campus. Resources are organized by levels of distress and categories of support. 

Please be aware that services may differ between undergraduate, graduate, and professional students; refer to the individual resource page to confirm if services are available and appropriate for you. For services and resources for postdoctoral scholars, please visit the Office of Postdoctoral Studies

Do you want easy access to this page? Students shared that having this page accessible via Canvas will remind you to use it as you need. Self-enroll in the Support for Students: Ithaca Campus Canvas course. 

Emergency

If you (or another student) are experiencing an emergency:

An emergency is defined as an immediate threat of harm to self or others. Get connected to emergency services by calling for help. When connecting with emergency services, please describe as clearly as possible the location and nature of the emergency. 

  • If you are on campus: call 607-255-1111 to be connected to Cornell Public Safety Communications Center. Students calling 911 from campus will be routed to the CUPD based on location.
  • If you are off campus: call 911

Even if your phone is out of service, 911 operators can still be reached.

JUMP TO: Get Help 24/7 | Resources for Elevated Concerns | Confidential Resources | Reporting Options | Academic Advising and Support | Accessibility and Inclusive Resources | Culture, Identity and Spirituality | Financial Well-being| | Food Access and Security | Medical Services | Mental Health and Emotional Well-being | Housing | Recreation and Outdoor Opportunities | Social Connections

Elevated

If you or another student is experiencing an elevated level of distress, meaning non-life threatening but an immediate need to be seen by a professional, please consider the following resources: Get Help 24/7 or Resources for Elevated Concerns

Get Help 24/7

Help is available any time day or night by connecting with the following resources. You don't have to be in crisis to take advantage of these free opportunities to speak or chat with a trained professional or volunteer who can listen to your concerns, and offer insight and advice. 

Cornell Resources

  • Public Safety Communications Center: 607-255-1111
  • Cornell Health: 607-255-5155
  • Administrator on Call: 607-255-1111
    • The Administrator on-Call (AOC) program is a function of the Office of Student Support and Advocacy Services. The Administrator on-Call offers support and guidance for health and safety emergencies that require immediate attention when University offices are closed. The Administrator on-Call is not a substitute for trained emergency personnel such as 911, 988, police, fire, or EMT professionals. Please call the Public Safety Communications Center (607-255-1111) to be connected to an Administrator on-Call.   
  • On-Campus Housing: 607-255-5368
    • If you live on-campus and need assistance, you can reach out to your community's RA or GRF-on-Call after 7PM. Every building will have a different number, and this will be provided to every resident and posted on the doors to the building.

Ithaca Hotlines

National Hotlines

National Text/Chat Services

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Resources for Elevated Concerns

On- and off-campus resources for students experiencing elevated, non-immediate physical and mental health concerns, that are not available 24/7. 

Cornell Health has a 24/7 phone consultation service that you can call any time for consultation and support if you have a physical or mental health concern, they can help you determine what care is needed, and how, when, and where to get it. 

On Campus

  • Community Response Team (CRT): 607-255-1111. For in-person and health-centered response to non-violent 911 crisis calls. 
  • RAVE Guardian App: A free app through Cornell Division of Public Safety to enhance your personal safety both on and off campus by turning your smartphone into a personal safety device.

Off Campus

National Hotlines

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Additional Resources to Support Your Health and Well-being

There may be times when you are experiencing some levels of distress and are seeking support, or you are curious about ways you can continue to elevate your health and well-being. The resources below support you in all aspects of your life and can be used throughout the academic year, regardless of your level of distress. 

Confidential Resources 

Cornell University and the Ithaca community offer several confidential resources for individuals who have experienced harm and are looking for support, an opportunity to consider next steps, who need care, or who may be unsure about whether to report incidents to the university or police. Students may seek these resources for concerns related to sexual violence or harassment, hazing, bias, discrimination or concerns related to work, life, or study at Cornell.

On-campus Resources

Conversations with the university’s “confidential resources” are kept strictly confidential and, except in rare circumstances, will not be shared (including to faculty, coaches, parents/families, etc.) without explicit permission. Individuals who are considering filing a complaint with the University, Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX, or law enforcement are encouraged to speak with an advocate first in order to make an informed decision about next steps. 

Learn more about the process and your rights as a student involving reports of protected-status bias, discrimination, harassment, and sexual and related misconduct by visiting the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX.

Off-campus Resources

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Reporting Options 

If you have concerns related to the health and well-being of an individual student, a group of students, or the overall community, there are avenues for reporting incidents to the University. The Report an Incident/Concern form contains many options for reporting, which are routed to the appropriate office based on the report type selected. Review the reporting forms below to determine which report type is appropriate for your concern.

If you would like to report a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or Community Living Standards, have it addressed immediately, and it is not a life-threatening concern, please reach out to your RA, GRF, or on-call support system. 

The reporting form should be used for non-emergent incidents or concerns only. For emergencies, including safety concerns, call Cornell Public Safety 607-255-1111 or dial 911. 

For more in-depth information, visit Report an Incident or Concern. 

Report Types

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Academic Advising and Support

Academic stressors can impact your health and well-being.  If you are experiencing concerns related to your academic success at Cornell and/or are looking to connect with on-campus resources such as your academic advisor, below are resources related to academic support, diversity and inclusion academic programs, and career services.

Undergraduate Academic Advising and Student Services

For more information about Undergraduate Education at Cornell, including advising, academic planning, and enriching your education, visit this website.

  • College Academic Advising: The Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education has a website geared towards connecting students to the appropriate academic advising resource depending on their major. Select your current college or school to learn about their resources and schedule your advising appointment.
  • Health Professions Advising Center: Central pre-health advising office for undergraduate students on their pre-health journey and application to medical, dental, optometry, podiatry, physician assistant, pharmacy, nursing, occupational therapy, chiropractic, physical therapy, speech language pathology, and other professional health programs. 
  • Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI): A centralized hub that provides academic and professional development support and resources for undergraduate students who may be underserved in higher education.
  • Office of Undergraduate Biology: The Biological Sciences major is offered in both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Arts & Sciences. The major is administered by The Office of Undergraduate Biology.

Graduate Academic Advising and Student Services

Graduate students typically interface with their specific program for their advising and student service needs. For graduate (research masters and PhD students), please connect with your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Field Administrator. For professional students, please connect with your respective program’s student services offices. 

Academic Support Resources

Academic Diversity and Inclusion Resources

  • Office of Diversity & Inclusion (AAP): Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through the College of Art, Architecture, and Planning.
  • Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (CALS): Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (CAS): Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Diversity and Inclusion (SC Johnson College of Business): Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through the SC Johnson College of Business. 
  • Bowers CIS DEI: Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through Bowers College of Computing and Information Science.
  • Office of Inclusive Excellence (College of Engineering): Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through the College of Engineering.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Human Ecology): Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through the College of Human Ecology.
  • Diversity and Inclusion (Cornell Law): Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through the Law School. 
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (CVM): Information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through the College of Veterinary Medicine. 
  • Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI): A centralized hub that provides academic and professional development support and resources for undergraduate students who may be underserved in higher education.

Career Services

  • Cornell Career Services: Available to answer questions and support students with all their career needs, including resume reviews, feedback on cover letters, and tips on landing your next internship or professional experience. 
  • College Career Development Resources: Contact information for career advisors in each college.

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Accessibility and Inclusive Resources

Resources related to providing a campus community that is accessible, usable, and welcoming for all students. Services and resources span from support for students with disabilities to those looking for gender-inclusive resources. For more information about Cornell’s commitment to accessibility, visit Accessibility at Cornell, a central clearinghouse on accessibility-related information for the Cornell community. 

Accessibility

Inclusive Resources

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Culture, Identity, and Spirituality

We all strive to find a sense of belonging. There are resources available to support you in exploring your identities, learn about others who are different than you, or are seeking opportunities to create meaningful and engaging interactions. Learn more about Cornell’s vision and goals for diversity and inclusion.

Centers for Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging

Support Services

  • Cornell Military Community: Resources and support for Cornell’s military community including undergraduate, graduate, and professional student veterans, and undergraduate and graduate officers in training in our ROTC corps. 
  • Cornell Veterans: Information about academic and community support for Veterans. 
  • Office of Global Learning: Coordinates international study and research experiences for Cornell students and supports international students and researchers at Cornell.
  • Program Houses: Themed residence halls offering close-knit communities with regular events, programming, and outreach opportunities with in-house and out-house membership opportunities.

Academic Initiatives and Departments

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Financial Well-being

Concerns related to finances and overall financial well-being can be distressing. Cornell and the Ithaca community offer services and resources related to financial aid, emergency funds, and obtaining a job while you’re in school. 

Access Funds & Grants

  • Access Fund: Financial support for students with low-income status. The access fund is not an emergency fund; requests must meet the application guidelines.
  • Emergency Funds: Three emergency fund opportunities offered by Financial Aid and Student Employment. 
  • Funding Resource Guide: A guide to funding opportunities, primarily available to undergraduate students, across Cornell’s campus.

On Campus Resources

  • Financial Aid: explore all available aid options at Cornell. Meet with a financial aid counselor to learn more, schedule an appointment here. 
  • Bursar: serves as the university's primary hub for managing student-related financial matters, encompassing tuition, fees and related expenses.
  • Available Student Jobs: for information about available on-campus student jobs.

Community Resources

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Food Access and Security

Challenges related to securing food has negative impacts on our health and well-being. There are several resources both on and off campus geared towards improving students’ access to food. 

On Campus

Local Resources

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Medical Services

Cornell Health provides services to support your physical health, and are available to all students enrolled on the Ithaca campus, no matter what type of insurance you have. 

Cornell Health

To schedule an appointment at Cornell Health, call 607-255-5155 or log in to myCornellHealth

  • Medical Care: Primary care medical services for students who are sick, injured, have an ongoing health concern, need medication management, or would like a checkup or other preventive care. 
  • Pharmacy: Prescription medication, self-care items, safer-sex supplies, and more, with a 24/7 self-care vending machine available inside Cornell Health’s Ho Plaza entrance.
  • Nutrition Services: Nutrition counseling for students seeking information and guidance about their dietary needs and practices, and students who need (or want) to adhere to a special diet.
  • Physical Therapy & Massage: Physical therapy and massage services.
  • Sexual Health Care: Preventive exams and health screenings, contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, pregnancy options referrals, and more.
  • Gender-Affirming Care: Hormone therapy, referrals for gender-affirming surgery, free binding and tucking supplies, and support.
  • Alcohol & Other Drug Services: Support for students who are struggling with alcohol or other drug use, including tobacco & nicotine cessation support.
  • Collaborative Health & Eating Program (CHEP): A coordinated, multidisciplinary team of Cornell Health providers who work together to support students struggling with disordered eating and related concerns.
  • 24/7 Phone Consultation: Consult with a medical or mental health provider, any time, day or night (607-255-5155).

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Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

There are times when we are experiencing a hard time, and it is perfectly normal to ask for help and seek out services that support our mental health and emotional well-being. There are several services and resources offered at Cornell and in the Ithaca community to support you in this aspect of your life. 

Cornell Health

Cornell Health provides services available to all students enrolled on the Ithaca campus, no matter what insurance you have. To schedule an appointment, call 607-255-5155 or log in to myCornellHealth

  • Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a wide variety of mental health services including: 
    • “Let’s Talk” drop-in consultation: Informal consultation with a CAPS counselor offered at various campus locations, and online.
    • Individual Counseling: Short-term individual therapy focused on treating common mental health conditions.
    • Group Counseling: Therapy groups focused on a variety of clinical issues and/or identity-specific experiences.
    • Community Liaisons: Community Liaisons are CAPS staff members who serve as bridge builders with student communities on campus that face additional barriers and stigma about accessing mental health care. Liaisons assist in bringing information about mental health and related services to the community, and listen to the needs of the community.
    • Workshops: Free drop-in workshops focused on helping students develop skills to thrive.
    • Mental Health Referrals: Help connecting with off-campus or online mental health providers. 
  • Well-being Coaching: Individual coaching to help students find and maximize their strengths, navigate barriers, and connect with additional resources and support.
  • Medication Management: Psychiatric medication prescribing and management, provided through Cornell Health’s primary care medical team and psychiatric nurse practitioners. 
  • Alcohol & Other Drug Services: Support for students who are struggling with alcohol or other drug use, including tobacco & nicotine cessation support.
  • Collaborative Health & Eating Program (CHEP): A coordinated, multidisciplinary team of Cornell Health providers who work together to support students struggling with disordered eating and related concerns.
  • SHARE Office Victim Advocacy: Assistance and support for members of the Cornell community who have experienced harmful, threatening, or violent incidents, including sexual assault, violent relationships, stalking, harassment, physical or emotional/mental assault, bias-related incidents, hazing, and related types of victimization.

Other Campus Resources

  • Community Groups: Spaces to support your spiritual well-being; for spiritual connection and exploration. 
  • Let’s Meditate: Free, guided mindfulness meditation series where a trained facilitator leads participants through meditation exercises designed to focus on the breath and quiet the mind. 
  • Restorative Spaces: Spaces offered across campus to nourish your spirit and replenish your energy.
  • Student Clubs & Organizations: Information about student groups focused on promoting mental health and well-being. 

Off Campus

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Housing

Living conditions impact all aspects of our health and well-being. Cornell students live both on campus (in residence halls or University-owned housing) and within the Ithaca community. There are services and resources to support your housing needs. 

On-Campus Living 

  • On-Campus Housing Information: Learn more about on-campus, residential hall housing opportunities and information at Cornell. 
    • First-Year Undergraduates: Information about on-campus housing options and selection process for first-year, undergraduate students.
    • New Transfer Undergraduates: Information about on-campus housing options and selection process for new transfer, undergraduate students.
    • Upper-Level Undergraduates: Information about on-campus housing options and selection process for upper-level, undergraduate students.
    • Program Houses: Information regarding themed residence halls that offer students the chance to develop and immerse themselves in interests within an engaging community of residents and out-of-house members.
    • Graduate and Professional Students: Information regarding on-campus and off-campus housing options for graduate and professional students. 
    • Summer Housing: Information regarding on-campus housing options for students who wish to live on campus during the summer.
    • Winter Break Housing: Information for students wishing to remain on campus for the Winter Break. There are several buildings that offer these accommodations, each with its own unique circumstances.
  • Cooperative Housing: On-campus housing open to transfer and upper-level undergraduate students (some houses are also open to graduate & professional students).
  • Sorority & Fraternity Life: Values-based social organizations and residential living experiences, providing members with a community of peers, and personal growth opportunities through leadership development and service projects. 
  • Gender Inclusive Housing: Housing for students who express their gender identity in a manner that may not be associated with a typical gender binary.
  • On-Campus Housing Accommodations: Information about accommodations for on-campus residents with disabilities.

Off-Campus

  • Off-Campus Living: Provides housing assistance, education, and referral services to students, staff, faculty, and others associated with Cornell who live off campus.
  • Tenants Legal Hotline: Free legal assistance to residential tenants in upstate New York. 

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Recreational & Outdoor Opportunities

You don’t have to have a fitness membership to be healthy and well on Cornell’s campus.  Learn more about services and resources related to your fitness, sports, and outdoor opportunities on campus and within the Ithaca community.

Fitness Centers & Group Fitness

On-Campus Outdoor Opportunities

Sports & Athletics

  • Bowling: Cornell’s on-campus bowling alley located in Helen Newman.
  • Lindseth Climbing Center: Offers 8,000 square feet of Bouldering, Top Rope, and Sport Lead rock climbing opportunities, catering to beginners and experts alike. 
  • Intramural Sports: Information regarding intramural sport opportunities.
  • Cornell Athletics: Learn more about Cornell Athletics, review the schedule, and buy tickets to upcoming athletic games. 

Physical Education

  • PE Requirement: all incoming undergraduate students are required to take two credits (two courses) of Physical Education. There are courses offered through both the PE Department and through Cornell Outdoor Education.
  • Swim Requirement: A basic swimming and water competency requirement for all undergraduate students. The requirement is normally taken as part of the Fall orientation process and is required to be completed in the student's first year.

Ithaca Outdoor Opportunities

  • Bike Walk Tompkins: A community that supports bicycling throughout Ithaca and additional resources to make biking safer. 
  • Ithaca Trails: Local trails for wildlife watching, gorges and waterfalls, lake views, or easy accessibility via bus.
  • Go Ithaca!: A membership-based program that provides sustainable and affordable transportation solutions to improve your commute and complete errands while supporting a healthy lifestyle, reducing vehicle pollution, and decreasing traffic congestion in our community.

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Social Connections

Finding social connections can be hard when there is so much to do on campus. There are several ways to find opportunities to develop a sense of belonging through social connections, such as through attending student events, joining student organizations, and being connected through the Ithaca community. 

Getting Connected

Leading Your Club and Organization

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The Services and Resources Committee, a part of the Health Promoting Campus Community of Practice, is an ongoing group tasked with reviewing and updating this webpage. These reviews will happen on a semester basis to ensure accuracy within an institution that introduces new services and resources regularly.

If there are services and resources that are missing or inaccuracies, please reach out to Taylor Bouraad (tb533@cornell.edu), Assistant Director, Community Engagement, Skorton Center for Health Initiatives, and Stephen D’Angelo (sd536@cornell.edu), Communications Lead, Student and Campus Life, for more immediate adjustments.