“Helping out, one student at a time”— more than just a motto, this is the motivating force behind GCC’s Health Center and its commitment to student wellness. The Mental Health Department at Glendale Community College strives to bridge the gap between health, wellness, and academia. The Health Center, located on the first floor across from the San Rafael building, is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Services offered by the Health Center include mental health counseling, couple’s therapy, and family therapy. Group therapy is slated to begin later on in the spring semester as well. These resources are offered at no additional cost to students, and medical insurance is not required to receive counseling. Both part-time and full-time students are eligible for services. All counseling sessions are strictly confidential and do not impact enrollment, academic standing, scholarships, financial aid, immigration status, or any academic or personal records. “We get many students who are hesitant about getting therapy because of stigma from their friends, family, culture, and society. It can be very isolating,” stated Nareh Shahbazian. “But talking to somebody really does help and can lift a weight off your shoulders. That’s why we’re here.”
GCC’s Health Center, in collaboration with GCC Cares and Project CONNECT, hosted its first Vibe ‘N Vent in Student Center 212 on March 19. At the event, students could sit down and converse with a mental health professional for a brief, five-minute session. The event ran from noon to 2 p.m. and was open to all faculty and students. In attendance and offering services were GCC mental health counselors Sue Ganthier-Pin, LMFT and Shahbazian. Upcoming Vibe ‘N Vent sessions are scheduled for April 8, April 23, May 6, May 21, and June 6.
GCC’s Health Center offers up to eight counseling sessions per semester. Counselors work closely with students to develop therapeutic goals and formulate specific action plans catered to each client. “Progress is the goal,” said Shahbazian. The objective of the Health Center is to provide students with healthy coping mechanisms and resources that will guide them through both school and life stress. For students who need ongoing therapy, medication management, or assessment referrals, their therapist will connect them with community resources to continue their progress. “The start is with us,” Shahbazian remarked. “We try everything we can to provide resources to our clients.”
The Health Center continues to grow, as awareness among the student population increases; more workshops will be held as the spring semester proceeds. Since the fall semester, there has been a thirty percent increase in student enrollment in therapy services. “We’re getting a lot more students now and we’re very happy about that,” said Gathier-Pin, LMFT. With more students utilizing these resources, GCC’s Health Center is devoted to increasing its support and promising that mental wellness remains a priority on campus. To find out about upcoming events, follow the GCC Health Center on Instagram @gcc.healthcenterhq or call 818-551-5189 to schedule an appointment with a counselor.
Eliana Amour can be reached at [email protected].