Frequently Asked Questions

No. Anyone can have a mental illness. It does not matter what your age, race, gender or income.

Mental illness and its milder counterparts are common. Around 1 in 5 Americans experiences mental illness during their lifetime. The same percentage of children in school also experience symptoms of diagnosable mental illnesses. It is less common, although not unheard of (about 3%), to see people affected by severe and ongoing mental illnesses.

The exact causes of mental illnesses are still being studied. Psychologists think many factors, such as your environment and genetics, can play a role. This is called epigenetics. Research shows that mental illnesses are partly linked to biology or brain chemistry, and they are not something anyone chooses.

To learn more about specific illnesses, our Information on Mental Illnesses section provides overviews of some common mental health conditions.

Expressing your concern for someone’s mental health can be hard. But there are many ways you can help.

• Let them know you are available to listen
• Tell them their feelings are valid
• Assure them you care about them and their health
• Encourage them to seek treatment
• Check in on them and make sure they are okay

For more information, our I Want to Help section offers practical guidance on helping someone you love.

There are multiple treatment options available for mental health challenges. These include therapy, medication, and support tools. Often, it takes a combination of these to manage mental health symptoms. Our Mental Health Treatment page provides more information on available options. You can also use our Find Mental Health Treatment page to locate a provider.

The University of Michigan Campus has multiple resources for students in need of mental health support.

Our Campus Mind Works wellness groups are a great way to connect with others who may be going through similar feelings. Scheduling an appointment with CAPS can help you find the best treatment options tailored to your needs. If this is an emergency, call the Psychiatric Emergency Services at 734-936-5900 or dial 988 to reach the suicide and crisis hotline.

If you are looking for more options, visit:

• Find Treatment Services
• Support Resources
• Tools & Resources

Therapy is by no means “one size fits all.” Your relationship with your therapist should feel safe and comfortable. This doesn’t always happen at the first appointment. If your treatment provider doesn’t fit your needs, it’s okay to find someone new. Do not get discouraged if you don’t like the first therapist you meet. Finding a therapist is a process.

Our Choosing a Therapist checklist has a list of things you should consider when selecting a new care provider.

See our Find Treatment Services to find a new therapist in the area.

It can be tough to get your first appointment with a therapist, and that can feel frustrating. Try not to get discouraged. There are still things you can do to support your mental health before you see a professional*:

• Take care of yourself. Exercise, eat well, establish a good sleep schedule, and practice positive relaxation techniques.
• Attend a Campus Mind Works wellness group. These occur biweekly and alternate between North and Central Campus throughout the Fall and Winter semesters. CAPS also has additional workshops and groups that you can attend.
• Make an appointment for wellness coaching. Wellness coaching is a holistic approach to examining how personal well-being interacts with one’s values, goals and motivations.
• Join Wolverine Support Network or attend one of their weekly walk-in groups.

*For urgent concerns, you can see the CAPS Counselor-on-Duty the same-day (734-764-8312). If you are having thoughts of suicide, call Psychiatric Emergency Services (734-936-5900).

Medications must be prescribed by a medical professional. They cannot be prescribed by therapists or other mental health practitioners who do not have medical degrees. You may get your prescription from:

• A psychiatrist who is a medical doctor who specializes in mental illness
• A nurse practitioner who is a registered nurse with added training in medical or mental illnesses
• A general practitioner, like a primary care provider, who is trained to be able to prescribe any type of medication, including psychiatric, but does not specialize in mental health

Yes, but each person’s treatment plan is different. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine if medication would be helpful for you. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a common form of mental health treatment that can be used with or without medication.

Getting enough sleep is a key part of staying healthy. When you’re well-rested, you feel less stressed and it’s easier to keep up with healthy habits.

College life can be busy and stressful. Even simple things like going to class, exercising, or spending time on your computer can wear you out.

If you don’t get enough sleep, your mood and energy can drop. You might find it harder to focus, remember things, or make decisions quickly.

Getting good sleep helps your body and mind work their best.

Sleep is a physiological process. It has several distinct phases. At each phase, your brain and body work together to restore your well-being. During each phase of sleep, different processes take place:

• Deep and restful sleep helps to restore the energy you expend during the day
• Your brain is actively working while you sleep to create new pathways for areas such as learning, memories and new insights
• Good sleep helps your body to fight off common infections by releasing key hormones while you sleep
• Sleep gives your heart and vascular system a rest by reducing your heart rate and blood pressure

Not sleeping well can raise hormone levels that affect your mood and stress. This can make it harder to concentrate, remember things, or solve problems. It can also slow your reaction time and make mental health symptoms worse. When you’re tired, it’s harder to handle stress.

If you’re not getting enough sleep, you might see your grades drop. It can be harder to pay attention in class, remember what you study, and do well on tests.

Poor sleep is often a symptom of mental illness. People with bipolar disorder, for example, can have irregular sleep patterns. These can lead to or worsen their mania or depression. Anxiety and depression can also make it difficult to sleep. When you’re tired, your depression might feel worse, or your anxiety might feel heightened. Also, some mental health medications can affect your sleep.

If you have severe sleep problems, they may need special attention. There are both medication and non-medication treatments to help you get better sleep. Talk with your doctor about how you can get a good night’s rest.

On average, adults need around eight hours of sleep per night. But, not everyone’s sleep needs are the same. The best way to figure out what your body needs is to wake up naturally without an alarm for a week. At the end of the week, figure out how much you slept on average. Using a sleep diary can help you track your sleep and determine how much sleep you need.

Yes. Oversleeping can also lead to some of the same problems as sleep deprivation. Sleeping too much has also been shown to increase the risk of heart problems, obesity and cognitive impairment.

Science has shown that lack of sleep can lead to insulin sensitivity. This can lead to a craving for high-calorie foods. Some psychiatric medications can also lead to a larger appetite. If you are hungrier and sleep-deprived, you may make less nutritious choices. This is especially important for anyone with a medical condition that is impacted by their diet, like diabetes. Discover ways to prioritize your physical well-being on our Self-Care page.