Mental health services help Citrus College students overcome obstacles

By Mary Ann Lutz, Citrus College Governing Board Member

Higher education is facing a mental health crisis. Studies show that the number of college students suffering from depression and anxiety has reached a record high. At the same time, reports indicate that emotional stress and mental health challenges are the top two reasons why students drop out. Recognizing that academic success and wellness go hand in hand, Citrus College has made great strides toward enhancing the mental health services available on campus.

A vital part of the Student Wellness Center, the college's mental health program uses a holistic and collaborative approach to create a safe space where students feel comfortable and welcomed. The aim of the program is to provide preventative care and early intervention services, which have been proven to reduce symptoms and behaviors connected to depression, anxiety and stress.

Although the college has always provided students with mental health support when necessary, preventative care and early intervention services are relatively new for the campus. In July 2022, Citrus College welcomed Nadine Henley as its first-ever mental health supervisor. A licensed clinical social worker, Henley provides direct mental health services to Citrus College students. She is also responsible for developing, administering, coordinating, evaluating and promoting mental health and wellness services on campus.

Together, Henley and her team offer students short-term mental health services, as well as case management to connect them with resources or help them navigate health insurance, when needed. In addition, currently enrolled students can receive up to eight free counseling sessions per semester. These sessions can include individual, couple or family counseling. Crisis intervention services are also offered. While students are encouraged to call or email the program to schedule appointments, those in need of immediate assistance are welcome to visit the office during office hours.

Since joining the Citrus College community, Henley has been busy promoting the college's mental health services on campus. "We do not wait for students to come in," she explains. "We are actively present on campus through classroom presentations, workshops, tabling events and an intentional presence." Another important aspect of this promotion has been collaborating with other areas of the campus. According to Henley, an alliance with the college's kinesiology and athletics division has been especially successful, and many student athletes have begun utilizing the services.

Outreach events have also proven popular. From a "Melt the Stress Away" ice cream and popsicle distribution to a "Paint and Vibe" activity attended by more than 250 students, the team's innovative efforts to reach students have helped reduce some of the stigmas associated with mental health. In fact, nearly 500 students have participated in counseling appointments, and more than 1,000 students were reached through campus events promoting mental health and wellness.

"We are excited that students are taking an interest. During the past academic year, several individuals who utilized our services overcame substantial ongoing challenges," Henley said. "I have truly enjoyed getting to work with them from a strengths-based perspective and seeing them reach or surpass their goals."

In the weeks ahead, Citrus College's mental health services will continue to expand. This fall, the program welcomed their first student interns from the Azusa Pacific University Master of Social Work program. This partnership will allow the Student Wellness Center to extend more services to students, enabling interns to sharpen their skills and explore their interest in the field.

As the Monrovia, Bradbury and portions of Duarte area's representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am proud of the work Citrus College has done in the area of mental health. With more and more students using these services each day, future events and programming are being informed by their feedback. I look forward to watching the college's mental health program continue to grow, and I am excited to see many more students successfully managing their mental health and learning important skills that will help them throughout life.