To strengthen mental health support for university students and help prevent psychiatric emergencies, Casa Pacifica has expanded its SAFTY (Safe Alternatives for Treating Youth) mobile crisis response service to students living on or near UC Santa Barbara.
The program operates in close coordination with UCSB Counseling & Psychological Services, UCSB After-Hours Crisis Services, UCSB Student Health Services and the UC Police Department to provide a seamless, campus-connected system of in-person and phone support.
A recent national survey found rates of anxiety and depression among college students are at historic levels, with more than 60% of students meeting the criteria for at least one mental health condition.
In many cases, the depth of these mental-health challenges has become so severe that it’s affecting college students’ ability to persevere in their studies, Casa Pacifica reports.
College life often comes with pressures that can intensify stress and emotional struggles.
The SAFTY Campus Mobile Crisis program offers immediate, in-person crisis response, helping students stabilize and navigate high-stress moments, whether during transitions, exams, or interpersonal conflicts, before situations escalate.
“UCSB students are navigating academic pressures, life transitions, and sometimes unexpected mental health challenges,” said Kimberly Valenzuela, Casa Pacifica’s regional director of Santa Barbara County.
“When a student is in crisis, having someone arrive in person who is trained to listen, assess, and stabilize the situation can be the difference between a moment of distress and a lasting setback,” she said. “Our SAFTY Campus Mobile Crisis program meets students where they are and helps them take the next step toward safety and support.”
The SAFTY team offers de-escalation, risk assessment, crisis stabilization, and safety planning, while connecting students to ongoing mental and behavioral health resources to support long-term well-being and academic continuity.
The service is available 3 p.m.-1 a.m. seven days a week, including holidays.
“Through this partnership with Casa Pacifica, UC Santa Barbara is strengthening access to timely, compassionate after-hours mental health care,” said Briana Miller, associate dean of Student Wellbeing.
“At its core, these expertly trained professionals support students in moments of distress and help them stay engaged in their academics and connected to campus support systems,” Miller said.
Established in 2005, Casa Pacifica’s SAFTY service is a resource throughout Santa Barbara County for youth and young adults up to age 21.
“Extending access to UCSB students of all ages strengthens the campus-community safety net and reinforces a shared commitment to student mental health,” the organization said.
For more, visit casapacifica.org.