Community Resources

The links listed below are for informational purposes only. Consult your health care provider for diagnoses and treatment of illnesses.


General Health

American Cancer Society
Many cancer deaths can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices including appropriated screening tests. Tools and calculators can be found on this site to help you make the healthy choices and help lower your risk for different cancers.

American Heart Association
Dedicated to the prevention of heart disease and stroke.  It includes information on exercise and nutrition.  An interactive risk profile is provided for self-assessment.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans, conducts research, responds to emergencies, and provides information on immunizations.

Help.org
Help.org is a community organization dedicated to empowering people suffering from substance abuse addiction with tools and resources to start their personal journey toward recovery. We create and publishes comprehensive, unbiased, free web-based resources that have been featured and is referenced by many governmental agencies and organizations across the web.

InteliHealth
Provides a comprehensive collection of consumer health information, featuring Harvard Medical School Health Information.

MedlinePlus 
Provides health and drug information from the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Library of Medicine.

Mayo Clinic
Provides information from the Mayo Clinic on diseases and conditions, healthy living, medical drugs, and self-care.

MedicineNet.com 
This website can be used as reference for illnesses, procedures, and medications in an easy to follow format.

Mesothelioma Hub
Whether you’re a patient who’s just been diagnosed with mesothelioma or a friend or family member looking for ways to support your loved one, Mesothelioma Hub connects you to treatment information, legal advice, and the country’s top mesothelioma specialists.

National Cancer Institute 
Gives information on cancer prevention, treatment, screening, genetics, and resources in coping with cancer.

The National Women’s Health Information Center 
Women’s Health is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health project covers over 800 gender-specific health topics for women and girls.

Online Colleges - Living with Chronic Health Issues
Guide for students living with chronic health issues on balancing school and disease management.  It lists 10 scholarships resources geared specifically toward students who live with chronic illnesses. 

Virtual Student Health Services 
A website hosted by the California Community College Student Health Services. Nearly any topic that students would be interested in could be found through this website.


Emotional and Mental Health

Crisis Text Line

Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis
  2. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds quickly
  3. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment

Go Ask Alice 
Provides college students with detailed information on sexual health and other highly personal issues.

TransitionYear
A campaign designed to help students and their families focus on emotional health before, during and after the college transition.

The Jeb Foundation 
Committed to improving the mental health of college students nationwide.  The Jed Foundation's Half of Us campaign with mtvU uses stories of students and high-profile artists to increase awareness about mental health problems and the importance of getting help.

ULifeline
An anonymous online resource to learn more about your thoughts and feelings, and to reach out for help if necessary. Visit ULifeline.org to take a confidential screening and research mental health conditions.

Trevor Project Student Resources
Focusing on suicide prevention and crisis intervention services, the Trevor Project provides LGBTQ college students direct access to multiple trustworthy tools and resources online and via telephone.  Immediate support is available by calling the Trevor Lifeline (866-488-7386)—it’s free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On Ask Trevo,  non-urgent questions can be asked about sexual orientation and gender identity and receive answers from trained volunteers.

Learn Psychology
A comprehensive guide to help college students identify common mental health disorders, their warning signs, when to seek treatment and how to manage them.


Reproductive and Sexual Health

Healthy Women 
Provides health and wellness tips aimed at women.

Men’s Health Network
Provides health and wellness tips aimed at men.

Sexual Health – Mayo Clinic
Provides in-depth information on sexual health for men and women of any age.

Planned Parenthood 
Provides information about contraception and sexual health.


Veteran’s Resources

VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS)
VAPAHCS is part of a larger region, the VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21), providing services to veterans.

Marin County Veterans Services 
Helps veterans, their spouses and children obtain all types of veterans’ benefits.

US Dept of Veteran Affairs
Provides an online guide to federal benefits for veterans, dependents and survivors.


Alcohol and Other Drugs

Drugwatch.com
Provides FDA and drug recall news; latest, scientific information of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and medical devices that may have potential to cause patients harm.

Drugfree.org
Provides educational information, referrals and a free online alcohol assessment tool.  Access the Take a Screening, a confidential assessment screening to determine if his/her drinking pattern is likely to be harming their health or increasing their risk for future harm.

NCADD
Providing guidance to basic facts about alcohol and drugs, to assessment tools, to local resources for counseling and assistance.


Fitness and Nutrition

 

Eating Disorders - Something Fishy 
Provides information on myriad of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
Assists individuals who have been obese, too thin, or otherwise obsessed with food. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous provides solutions that free them from these problems.

Smart Nutrition Starts Here
Provides the basics of good nutrition: adequate vitamins and minerals, plenty of water, and sufficient fiber.

Shape Up America
This is not only a great fitness website but also has a nutrition component, complete with a Cyber Kitchen!


Smoking

California Smokers' Helpline (1-800-NO BUTTS) 
Provides smoking cessation support classes.

Tobacco Cessation Resource Network 
Run by Breathe California (located in San Jose). This is an excellent local resource to find available smoking cessation classes. Free patches and gums may be available through mid-2012 (made possible by a Breathe CA grant).  Call 408.998.5865.


HELP WITH MEDICAL COSTS

Orion Fund
Orion Fund provides grants to California college students under the age of thirty facing serious health crisis.  Grantees must show proof of current enrollment, financial need and verification of medical condition

Rxassist.org
Help with medications.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a nonprofit group offering assistance to low-income, underinsured patients get free or low-cost brand-name medications.

Cancer Supportive Care
List of most well-known pharmaceutical agencies providing patient assistance programs. List generated by staff at UCSF.

Needy Meds
Nonprofit organization providing a wealth of information on patient savings including free/low-cost medical and dental clinics.  Provides NeedyMeds Drug discount card for lower cost medications. HealthWeb Navigator reviews health-related websites to help find the most medically reliable information.