Mental Health & Wellness Communities at Stanford
Seeking community to support you in your mental health and well-being journey? Look no further. Stanford has a plethora of organizations aiming to create communities where students feel seen, heard, embraced, and supported. You don’t have to do it alone, and you aren’t doing it alone. There are so many people on our campus trying to maintain their well-being while balancing the challenges of college life. As someone who personally struggled with loneliness throughout my time at Stanford, I decided to seek out the community I was looking for and found so many beautiful places along the way. In this article I will highlight the ones I have found throughout my time at Stanford that have helped me stay well.
Finding Connection Through Community
College life can be challenging. Especially when navigating loneliness and feeling you don’t belong. I was there once too. But then I found and created communities that made me feel that sense of belonging and connection I longed for. Not only did these spaces provide community, but they helped give me tools that helped me navigate challenges and loneliness when I was on my own too. I want to share some of these communities with you in hopes that if you ever feel alone, unseen, unheard, or simply want to make friends that support your growth that you know some places to try!
Stanford Mental Health Outreach (SMHO)
This student organization works to end stigma and build community through awareness campaigns, workshops, and collaborative events with other groups. SMHO is a home base for students passionate about changing the culture around mental health on campus and beyond. From educational panels to dorm-based outreach, SMHO blends advocacy with action.
Wellness Buddies
A program supported by Stanford Mental Health Outreach and Cardinal Recovery, created by me! To solve for my own feelings of loneliness I decided to create a no commitment, no requirement space where people can show up to participate and invite each other to do wellness activities such as walking, journaling, conversation cards, gathering over meals, doing mental health check ins, and guided yoga and meditation sessions. We work closely with other mental health and well-being communities on campus and help organize events that create feelings of connectedness, warmth, and wellness!
Cardinal Recovery
Cardinal Recovery is a supportive community for students in recovery from substance use, those affected by addiction, and anyone seeking sober-curious spaces. With regular meetups, peer support, and social events, Cardinal Recovery creates a safe, inclusive environment meeting you wherever you are in your journey of recovery or adjusting your relationship to substances.
PEERs (Prevent, Educate, Empower, Refer)
The PEERs are paid undergraduate and co-term peer educators trained in the fundamentals of public health. Their mission is to Prevent harms, Educate about holistic health and well-being, Empower the Stanford community, and Refer students to campus resources. PEERs lead engaging workshops and events focused on substance use, sexual citizenship, and mental health.
The Bridge Peer Counseling Center
The Bridge is open 24/7 for anonymous, confidential peer counseling—no appointment necessary. Staffed by trained student volunteers, The Bridge is a haven for anyone who just needs to talk. Whether you’re in crisis or simply need someone to listen, they’re always there.
Each of these communities has reminded me of the power of community and all the people at Stanford trying to create healing, empowering, kind, inclusive, and supportive spaces. The truth is, you don’t have to be at rock bottom to seek support. You can be doing “fine” and still deserve care. Whether you’re searching for a place to talk, to heal, to grow, or just to be, these communities are here for you. I hope you find what you need, and if not, I hope you feel empowered to help build it. You never know who else might be looking too.
Written by: Cherrial Odell, Class of 2026
Mental Health Resources at Stanford
This website is your go-to hub for navigating the many mental health and well-being resources at Stanford. Whether you are seeking advice to establish your self-care routine, looking for ways to manage stress or mental health symptoms, need tips to help a friend, someone supportive to talk to, or anything in between, you are not alone.
Resources
Stanford Resources
- PEERS: Undergraduates working to Prevent harms, Educate about holistic health and well-being, Empower the Stanford community, and Refer students to campus resources. A collaboration between the Office of Substance Use Programs, Education and Resources (SUPER) and the SHARE Education Team.
- Cardinal Recovery: Community and meetings for those in or interested in recovery. Peer-led support for substance use and behavioral addictions.
- Stanford Mental Health Outreach (SMHO): A student group at Stanford that aims to raise awareness about mental health and advocate for students experiencing mental health issues.
- Wellness Buddies: Student meet up group creating community around mental health and wellness.
- The Bridge Peer Counseling Center: Stanford's student run peer-counseling center that offers anonymous 24/7 peer counseling to members of the greater Stanford community.