Basic knowledge about common mental health conditions and mental illness can be very helpful in understanding ourselves, our families, our friends, and those around us.

The Internet is filled with sites that speak to the full spectrum of mental health conditions, illness, strategies, and services. The "Student Counseling Virtual Pamphlet Collection," provided by the University of Chicago, is a good place to start. It is a collection of brochures on a wide range of mental health topics, produced by college health centers around the country. The list includes, but is not limited to, information on:

• Suicide and depression
• Anxiety 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Trauma (physical or sexual assault; disaster)/ PTSD 
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 
• Substance abuse 
• Attention Deficit Disorder or other learning disabilities 
• Eating disorders (see also Cornell-related information provided by the Cornell Healthy Eating Program)

Cornell's "Recognizing and Responding to Students in Distress: A Faculty Handbook" (pdf) also provides information about mental health conditions and resources available right here on campus.