Listen in as Cary Quashen and Micheal Dougherty sit down with several staff members from the College of the Canyons Health and Wellness Center to discuss how college life can lead to all sorts of different issues for new students. Larry Schallert and Tracy Taris discuss the work they are doing at the Health and Wellness Center with students that are experiencing depression or simply are overwhelmed by college life and what it brings.  COC Cougar Peer Educator Natalie Miller explains the work they are doing with students to help keep them engaged and motivated students by navigating them through the problems and pitfalls that can come with college life. Chico State RA Janae Schallert sits down to weigh in on her experiences in the dorms on college campuses working to help keep students safe and being there to assist students who are experiencing difficulties on campus.

COC Health and Wellness Center (from canyons.edu)

“Welcome to College of the Canyons Student Health & Wellness Center mental health services program. If you are currently enrolled in classes at COC, you are able to obtain free counseling from a mental health professional.  Our team of clinicians are here to help you manage your stress and to enhance the quality of your life at COC. With help from our dedicated multidisciplinary team, you will be in a better position to overcome challenges and reach your potential, both academically and personally. Mental health counseling can improve your sense of well-being, optimism and self esteem. Our services reflect an understanding and respect for diversity, and we are here to support your emotional health. Recent research by Dr. Daniel Goleman (Harvard) and Dr. Peter Salovey (Yale) have confirmed our observations and common sense. Your Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and the facts you learn account for less than 25% of your ability to be successful in life. People who have a high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) understand and manage strong feelings, persist in the face of frustrations and traumas, build strong healthy relationships, can listen well and lead others, and are more likely to be both happy and successful in their lives. These aspects of Emotional Intelligence are skills that we can help you to learn. Psychological counseling is available at no cost to currently enrolled COC students for up to six visits per semester. Students meet with counselors at the Student Health & Wellness Center on the Valencia campus, Student Center 122. Common reasons to see a counselor include: relationship problems, loss of a loved one, shyness/loneliness, concerns about the future, anxiety interfering with academic success, anger/mood instability, exposure to traumatic events, depression, drug or alcohol issues, or as one part of an assessment for medical symptoms.”

About the Action Family Foundation (from actionfamily.org)

Because of our own experience in dealing with teen problems, we are able to understand and offer suggestions that are effective. We know that you want the best for your family and we realize how important your family is to you. We also understand that trying to face these problems alone can be overwhelming and frightening at times.

ACTION offers a safe place to talk, cry, laugh, and to discuss your teen’s behavior with others who can offer practical solutions that work.

The ACTION Parent & Teen Support program is a non-profit program, which supports groups of concerned parents who meet to offer each other support and practical solutions to problems. In addition to the weekly support groups, ACTION provides individual and family counseling for children, adolescents and adults on a sliding fee scale; low-cost drug testing, immediate inpatient and outpatient referrals; crisis intervention, and an emergency crisis team.

Action Family offers its Parent & Teen Support Groups throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern Counties.

See more at: www.actionfamily.org