Life and Wellness Resources for Graduate and Credential Students

These resources, curated by Clinical Psychology students, may be of assistance for students, staff and faculty and our broader communities. We all try to maintain a state of well-being in which we realize our own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and are able to contribute to our community.

Wellness@NDNU

With so much change and uncertainty, we remain committed to making sure that you have the support you need, any time, any place. Through Wellness@NDNU – a program funded by our federal PPOHA grant, E3@NDNU: Educate, Empower, Engage – NDNU’s graduate and credential students have free access to a licensed clinician to help with where you are on your journey.

With Wellness@NDNU, our graduate students have access to the following service:

  • A 24/7/365 mental health support line for in-the-moment support from counselors and connections to next steps, regardless of time of day or student location for 24/7 support visit timelycare.com/NDNU

Crisis Assistance

StarVista is a nonprofit organization that has been helping people throughout San Mateo County navigate life’s challenges for over 55 years. StarVista’s counseling, crisis prevention, youth housing, and outreach programs reach tens of thousands of people in our community each year.

StarVista also provides a crisis hotline that provides emergency assistance to people who are not experiencing a medical crisis. 
StarVista Resource Directory

Gender/Gender Identity/Gender Expression

The San Mateo County Pride Center is a place where you can be you and have easier access to direct services. The Pride Center’s mission is to create a welcoming, safe, inclusive, and affirming community climate that fosters personal growth, health, and opportunities to thrive. The Pride Center serves individuals of all ages, sexual orientations, and gender identities through education, counseling, advocacy, and support. 

Outlet is a program of Adolescent Counseling Services that empowers LGBTQIA+ youth and builds safe and accepting communities through support, education, and advocacy. Services include social groups, therapy groups, mental health counseling services, and education and training. 

Grief/Death Support

Kara’s mission is to provide grief support for children, teens, families and adults. 

The Sutter Care at Home Grief and Bereavement Support program is open to the public and is designed to meet people where they are in their journey through grief. 

The Gronowski Center is Palo Alto University’s psychology training clinic dedicated to providing compassionate, low-cost counseling, psychotherapy and assessment services to adults, older adults, couples, adolescents, children, and families in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. This center specializes in various topics, especially in grief, bereavement, and trauma. They also offer services on a sliding fee scale, as a part of its mission to serve the mental health needs of the local community, regardless of people’s ability to pay.

Stress

The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow. 

The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) promotes and represents the science and practice of self-regulation to enhance health and performance. It is the association’s vision to integrate self-regulation into everyday life. 

Traumatic Events

Rape Trauma Services (RTS) strives to eliminate all forms of violence, with a special focus on sexual assault and abuse. Informed by the understanding of traumatic experiences and cycles of violence, RTS facilitates healing and the prevention of violence through the provision of counseling, advocacy, and education. RTS promotes and adopts policies, practices, and the social values rooted in fairness, equity and inclusiveness. 

ADHD/ADD

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) was founded in 1987 in response to the frustration and sense of isolation experienced by parents and their children with ADHD. 

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest biomedical research agency in the world. A wealth of useful information can be found at NIMH.

Anxiety

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) works to prevent, treat, and cure anxiety disorders and depression.

HelpGuide is a small independent nonprofit that runs one of the world’s top 10 mental health websites. 

Depression

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) envisions wellness for people living with mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder) and provides hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders.  

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The International OCD Foundation helps those affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders to live full and productive lives by increasing access to effective treatment through research and training and fight stigma surrounding mental health issues.

The mission of AACAP is to promote the healthy development of children, adolescents, and families through advocacy, education, and research, and to meet the professional needs of child and adolescent psychiatrists throughout their careers. 

Suicide Awareness

San Mateo County provides a variety of resources for those who are struggling with suicidal ideation and/or intent. While StarVista provides programs for residents, the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services also provides resources through its ACCESS center for those struggling with mental illness and further self-harm.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and other mental health organizations and individuals across the U.S. and around the world raise awareness of suicide prevention during September, National Suicide Prevention Month.

Addiction/Dependence

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families. 

Eating Disorders

The UCSF Eating Disorders Program, formally established in 2007, is a comprehensive, evidence-based program that provides outstanding clinical care for individuals with eating disorders (up to age 25) and their families, including family-based and individual treatments. 

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest biomedical research agency in the world. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Kindful Body specializes in the treatment of eating disorders via online therapy and nutrition counseling. Kindful body brings together therapists who are passionate and expertly trained in helping clients transform their relationships with their bodies and food. Kindful Body’s key values for disordered eating treatment are self-compassion, self-acceptance, self care, and self-love. 

Substance Misuse

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step program for those struggling with alcohol. AA’s program of recovery is based on one alcoholic sharing their experience strength and hope with another at meetings. Their primary purpose is to help alcoholics achieve sobriety. California Meeting Schedules

Alanon/Alateen are support groups for loved ones who have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Based on Alcoholics Anonomous 12 step approach, their primary purpose is to help families and friends of alcoholics. They have meetings every day at many different locations. 

Narcotics Anonymous A 12-step support group for those struggling with drug addiction. 
Meeting schedules

Women’s Recovery Association provides a comprehensive continuum of care including residential treatment programs, professional clinical services and community peer support. WRA provides an environment that fosters women’s ability to help each other heal, with a strong emphasis on safety, acceptance, and community. 

Our Common Ground offers programs for adults with substance use disorders. They offer treatment for individuals struggling with addiction, withdrawal and recovery. OCG provides each client with a warm, supportive and familial environment comprised by other like-minded adults, families, significant others and OCG staff. The treatment center includes inpatient, outpatient and residential options. Phone: (650) 367-9030 Ext. 26 (voicemail). 

Rehabilitation Centers 

FreeRehabCenters.org seeks to provide the most complete list of free, low cost, sliding scale, and low income assisted rehab resources on the internet. 

Free Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers in Belmont, CA

AIDS/HIV and other STDS  

Planned Parenthood Northern California serves all people regardless of immigration status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or ability to pay. Planned Parenthood offers life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, sex education, and STD testing and treatment including PEP and PrEP to prevent HIV infection, infertility services, and more.      

Cancer

The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until they do, they will be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. 

The UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a wide range of programs and services to support patients and families dealing with cancer. 

The Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto is a leader in cancer care and research. They provide a warm, supportive environment that enables patients and families to stay in one location for procedures and tests. 

Dental and Medical Care

San Mateo County offers dental and medical care at their Fair Oaks (Redwood City) health center.   

Samaritan House also coordinates access to care at two free clinics, one in San Mateo (650-578-0400) and one in Redwood City (650-839-1447). 

The Rotary Club also offers a low/no cost dental service.  

Less expensive dental care services can be obtained by having your clinician be a dentist in training.   

Domestic//Dating/Sexual Violence

Cora is the only agency in San Mateo County solely dedicated to helping those affected by intimate partner abuse. From counseling, to emergency housing, to legal assistance, CORA’s services are designed to provide safety, support, and healing. 

Housing & Food Services

Coastside Hope Agency is one of eight (8) Core San Mateo County agencies that addresses homelessness and provides basic safety-net services for those needing temporary assistance. Residents must reside in Montara, Moss Beach, El Granada, Half Moon Bay, La Honda, and Pescadero. Coastside Hope’s Emergency & Supplemental Food Pantry is also available 5 days a week at our El Granada office, during regular office hours. All food is given free to clients – no payment is ever required. Pantry food comes from community donations, local food drives, and from Second Harvest Food Bank. The Coastside Hope Agency also purchases food when necessary to ensure a sufficient supply of high-value foods.

Second Harvest Food Bank offers emergency food services as well as outreach and education on food access and nutrition. Second Harvest offers a number of free food resources, including many that don’t require ID to apply. California is the first in the nation to implement this state-wide program so that families no longer have to pay for their students’ meals.  For information about grocery and meal programs throughout the county call their Food Connection Hotline: 800-984-3663, or check out https://www.shfb.org/ and https://www.shfb.org/get-food/

Daly City Community Service Center is one of eight (8) Core San Mateo County agencies that addresses homelessness and provides basic safety-net services for those needing temporary assistance. Experienced case workers assess each individual’s situation and connect residents, primarily from Daly City, Colma, and Broadmoor, to emergency shelter, food, clothing, diapers, home goods, and urgent utility and housing assistance programs. Eligibility requirements and income guidelines apply to all programs. Seasonal support programs, such as back-to-school backpacks for students and Operation Santa Claus (toy deliveries for families with young children) round out the center’s features. Their goal is to help participants gain stable housing and self-sufficiency. Annually over 1,500 households and 3,000 individuals are served. 

Samaritan House helps families avoid a major crisis and homelessness with emergency rent or assistance with utility bills. Case managers work with clients to explore what contributed to their housing instability and address those issues. And they provide support with housing applications, qualification for housing programs and they work with landlords to create more housing opportunities for clients in need of a new home.

The Community Resource Center of the YMCA (CRC) serves families residing in Brisbane, South San Francisco, and San Bruno. The CRC provides individuals and families with basic emergency and support services to stabilize their living situations. They provide clients with crisis intervention and referrals based on an evaluation of each client’s needs and their qualifications for assistance. The CRC provides a safety net of services to San Mateo County residents in need of food, emergency housing assistance, emergency utility assistance, shelter and other basic needs. https://www.ymcasf.org/crc, and  https://www.ymcasf.org/food-pantries

Since 1974, the Pacifica Resource Center has worked with local businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout Pacifica to provide food, housing support, and other critical services to our neighbors in need. PRC is the only core agency in San Mateo County that provides these services to Pacificans struggling to make ends meet. 

San Mateo County Housing Search is a free service that helps people search for affordable housing in San Mateo County. 

HIP Housing is a trusted non-profit organization that creates a place to call home for thousands of people in San Mateo County. The Home Sharing Program helps match individuals seeking housing with people who have a room or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to rent.  Property Development and Management has allowed HIP Housing to preserve and expand the amount of available affordable rental housing in San Mateo County.  A third program, HIP Housing’s Self Sufficiency Program (SSP) provides housing assistance and support services to low-income parents or emancipated foster youth who are in school to increase their earning power and become financially self sufficient within 1-5 years.  Participants receive subsidized rent while they complete an education or job training program and find employment in their field. 

Veterans

Established in 1946, the San Mateo County Veterans Services Office (CVSO) helps veterans access state and federal benefits that help veterans, their spouses and family members. The CVSO also provides information and referrals to a wide range of services and connects veterans to programs such as the California Veteran College Fee Waiver for veterans and dependents.

550 Quarry Road, San Carlos, CA 94070 
(650) 802-6598

FreeRehabCenters.org seeks to provide the most complete list of free, low cost, sliding scale, and low income assisted rehab resources on the internet. 

https://www.freerehabcenters.org/state/california provides a list of free and sliding scale rehab services across the state together with contact information and website links.

Crisis Hotline

For matters of life and death, call 9-1-1

Suicide Prevention
(StarVista)

(650) 579-0350

National Suicide Hotline
9-8-8 or
(877) 727-4747

Bay Area Crisis Text Line
(any type of crisis)
Text BAY to 741741

United Way Bay Area
Dial 2-1-1
Available in multiple languages 24/7

Parent Support Line
(888) 220-7575

Rape Trauma Services
(650) 692-7273

Dating/Domestic Violence Prevention
(800) 300-1080

Why call 988?

If you are someone you know is experiencing mental health or substance use-related crisis, call or text 9-8-8.

CONNECT
Call or text 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org

GET HELP
Be connected to a trained crisis counselor

FIND HOPE
Find the help and hope you need

Mark Dee

Magellan Solutions USA launched under the visionary leadership of Mark A. K. Dee, Chief Executive Officer – a consultant and service provider for healthcare administrative support, IT development, energy, call center, and business process outsourcing. Mark has served in various multi-level management positions in his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force (USAF). He performed as Immunology and Microbiology department manager, Medical Laboratory Assistant Director, Facility and Security Manager, and finally retiring in the military in 2008 as Superintendent/Assistant Chief of Operations of 330 personnel Medical Group. Mark has experiences in the services industries since he retired, including running a restaurant chain as the CEO. He has also developed other businesses in the Martials Arts studio and 3d-printing industries. He has a BS in Health Sciences and Hospital Administration, Board Certified in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Graduated in the Senior Executive Leadership School from the USAF, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in Systems Management at Notre Dame De Namur University.

Chosen Cheng

Chosen Cheng is owner of CMC Group, a privately held engineering and marketing consultancy for small business startup ventures. He currently works with project teams developing patented award-winning solar roofing systems and patent pending drone-based augmented reality geological and thermal mapping solutions. He was formerly a Silicon Valley marketing and innovative corporate training manager. As an avocation and a way to “pay it forward” he enjoys teaching and career coaching college and graduate MBA students many of whom are pioneering first generation college students from underserved communities. He and his wife, a Notre Dame alum, celebrated their wedding reception at the Ralston Mansion in the 70’s and have two stupendously successful, married adult children who between them have four stupendously adorable grandchildren.

Arthur Chait

Entrepreneur, Executive, Engineer, Investor, Professor, Mentor. Founder & CEO EoPlex Inc. ($31 million VC funded startup acquired by ASTI Singapore). President Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Consulting Division (800 staff worldwide). SVP Flextronics (responsible for $8 Billion in global accounts). President Zitel Software. Principal Booz Allen. R&D Director Halliburton. Adjunct Professor Menlo College, Visiting Professor Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Mentor Draper University, Judge Startup Chile. BS Engineering Rutgers, MBA Strategy University Pittsburgh.

Kelly Cansler

Kelly completed both her BS (Finance/Economics) and MBA from NDNU. She utilized her business education to launch an insurance agency in 2008 with Farmers Insurance. It’s grown into multi-million-dollar agency, organically and through acquisition. She has been recognized by Farmers Insurance being ranked within the top 10% of agents nationwide, but also as a speaker, trainer, and mentor within the Farmers Insurance Community. Kelly is extremely connected with local businessowners through several networking channels.

Cliff Burnette

Cliff is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Rambus, a global chip and IP provider that advances data center connectivity and solves the bottleneck between memory and processing. Cliff has over 20 years of experience leading global human resources operations for publicly traded companies with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and compensation strategy. Prior to Rambus, Cliff worked for several other high-tech companies in the semiconductor and medical device space and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Organization Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Memo Morantes

Memo Morantes has been a San Mateo County resident for more than 45 years. He has been a three-term San Mateo County Board of Education incumbent, a Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce board member, a Sequoia Hospital Foundation member, a co-chair of the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo, and a civic/community activist. 

Sheryl Young

Sheryl serves as a director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which provides $10M each year for innovative teachers and social entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area. Prior Sheryl served as CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org. She has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations, finance, and marketing. Young is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, earned an M.A. of Public Health from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Special Education from Ball State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University.

Brian Schumacker

Brian manages South San Francisco-San Bruno’s wastewater treatment plant and with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals who safeguard community health and protect the fragile San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame de Namur University. Brian has also earned the highest levels of professional certifications in wastewater treatment.

Mario Rendon

Mario Rendon serves as District Director for State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. He develops the communications, public relations and constituent service strategy for the office and supervises a small team that represents Mr. Mullin in the 22nd Assembly District within San Mateo County. He has over twenty year’s experience working with elected officials at the local, state and federal level developing public policy.

Jerry Hill

Jerry’s public service started with his local neighborhood association that progressed to the California State Assembly and Senate where he authored legislation resulting in laws on issues related to consumer protection, utility safety, coastal protection, public health, education and the environment. Jerry was born and raised in San Francisco, receiving his BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.

Magda Gonzalez

Magda was most recently the City Manager for the City of Half Moon Bay, California. Prior she was the City Manager of East Palo Alto, California and Assistant City Manager, Redwood City. Magda was President of Cal-ICMA, representing the Local Government Hispanic Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Magda is also a member of ICMA and the State Bar of California and received several awards and recognitions, including Career Excellence Award (WLG) and the Ethical Hero Award from Cal-ICMA.

Jeremy Dennis

Jeremy currently serves as Portola Valley Town Manager. Previously, he’s worked for elected officials at all governance levels, including twice as District Director for local assemblymembers. He worked as the Palo Alto Long Range Planning Director, and for San Mateo County in management roles. Jeremy has a Masters in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and graduated from UC Davis studying US History/Political Science.

Kate Comfort-Harr

Kate is Executive Director of HIP Housing, a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. Kate is a frequent speaker on a wide array of affordable housing topics and is passionate about the cultivation of collaborations between the private, public and social sectors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and was awarded the Chamber San Mateo County’s 2020 Business Woman of the Year Award.

Jeff Cox

Program Director for Master of Public Administration

Jerome Nadel

Jerome Nadel is Internationally experienced design-led marketing executive (CMO and GM) with a track record of improved market position, revenue growth, and M&A. He is an advance degreed psychologist and user experience product/service design expert, board member and advisor. Jerome recently retired from Rambus as where he was CMO and GM of the security software division that he led the sale to Visa. He has had a variety of chief marketing officer and chief user experience officer roles at companies including Human Factors International, SLP InfoWare, Gemplus, and Sagem. He started his career in the IBM Human Factors Labs. He is also an avid cyclist with National and multiple California State Champion titles.

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