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Mental Health Services. Young male talking with adult counselor.

Behavioral Health Services

Behaviorial Health Logo Tree Life

Empowering Students
through Case Management
and Mental Health Support

Mt. SAC has a multi-disciplinary, and multiethnic team of licensed professionals that offer short-term mental health counseling. The team prides itself in providing you a confidential space that is diverse, non-judgmental, student-centered, and invested in your overall health to assist you with reaching milestones in your academic career at Mt. SAC.

Services:

  • Brief Counseling: Short-term mental health counseling sessions.
  • Confidential Support: A safe and private space to discuss personal issues.
  • Crisis Intervention: Immediate support during a mental health crisis.
  • Case Management Support: Personalized support, resource connection and goal setting.

All information is confidential and available only to the patient, with few exceptions as mandated by law. Learn more about your Protected Health Information.

Be sure to check out the rest of this page for some online resources, including a wide range of helpful and engaging mental health videos and podcasts.

Behavioral Health Services

Cancellation Policy: Must cancel 24 hours prior to appointment time to avoid incurring a $5 no-show fee, which must be paid before any new appointments can be scheduled.
    • Mental Health

      Mental Health:

      Mt. SAC provides short-term mental health counseling to students currently enrolled with at least one credit course. In short-term counseling, a student and therapist work together to establish attainable goals that focus on understanding the basics of your mental health, problem solving, skills training, decision-making, and social skills. Services are confidential, with a few exceptions mandated by law. Learn more about your Protected Health Information.

    • Services

      Services:

      Our mental health counseling services are not intended to provide long-term care or psychiatric supervision (treatment that includes psychiatric medication), as there is no psychiatrist on staff. Students requiring long-term mental health needs (i.e., persons experiencing moderate to severe depression, bipolar symptoms, substance use, eating disorders, psychosis, suicidal behavior, or ongoing crises) will be referred to off-campus services where they can receive treatment that includes psychiatric supervision.

    • Telehealth Appointment

      Telehealth Appointment

      In California, “telehealth” is defined as a method to deliver health care services using information and communication technologies to facilitate the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and care management while the patient and provider are at two different sites. The two most common modes of telehealth for counseling are via 1) live videoconferencing either through a personal computer with a webcam or a mobile communications device with two-way camera capability, and 2) telephone

      A therapist can only provide services to a student who resides in the state of CA. During each telehealth appointment the student’s current physical location and an emergency contact number will be obtained.

      Mt. SAC is utilizing Zoom as the video platform to provide confidential and secure, telehealth care. 

    • FAQs

      FAQs

      Why are there mental health services on campus?

      Mt. SAC recognizes the importance of mental and physical health to be successful in academics. A support system is critical in being able to manage life’s challenges. Although a student may feel they already have a support system with friends or loved ones, mental health professionals are available to offer students non-biased, non-judgmental support.

      Are mental health services only for people with serious problems?

      Anyone can benefit from mental health services, regardless of whether the emotional issues one has are short-term or long-term. It is always important to take care of your overall health which includes your mental health.

      What are the reasons students seek mental health services?

      There are a variety of reasons a student seeks mental health services, including:

      • Feeling sad, lonely, depressed, anxious, worried, overwhelmed, and/or hopeless
      • Grieving the loss of a relationship, job, loved one or pet
      • Relationship problems with family members, spouse, friends, significant others, teachers and/or classmates
      • Anger issues
      • Substance use
      • Eating and/or sleeping habits
      • Issues specifically related to academics, including test anxiety, problems with focus and attention, and procrastination/time management

      Can my significant other or family member receive services at Mt. SAC?

      Mt. SAC only offers individual therapy to students currently enrolled with at least one credit course.

      What can I expect in my first visit?

      Prior to your first visit with a licensed mental health clinician, you will be asked to complete a few forms and questionnaires. In your first session with a clinician, the clinician will ask you about the symptoms or problems you are currently experiencing. By the end of the session, the clinician will share with you whether the symptoms or problems you are reporting are ones that the clinician can help you with at Behavioral Health Services. If the clinician is not able to best support you, the clinician will provide you with a meaningful referral to a provider who can treat you most effectively. The clinicians are friendly and professional, and they will guide you through the discussion.

    • Self-Help Videos

      Self-Help Videos

      View All Self-Help Videos
    • Podcasts

      Podcasts

      Mental Health & Loneliness

      Good Grief! Defining & Working with Grief

      Reimagining Your Recharge with
      Mt. SAC Student Health Services Episode 99

    • Coping Tips

      Coping Tips

      Your well-being is important to us. It is normal to worry during a time of uncertainty, but it is also important to use our coping skills and resources to help us feel better. These are unprecedented times, and embracing our mental health is a top priority by practicing self-care. 

      Active MindsCoping and Staying Emotionally Well During COVID-19-related School Closures

      NAMICoronavirus Update: Mental Health Tips, Public Health News and Resources

      American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty

    • Coping Tip Sheets

      Coping Tip Sheets

      The mental health clinicians have created some coping tip sheets on with information about Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Trauma and Relationship Distress.

    • Resources

      Resources

      Below you will find some mental health resources that may be of interest to you. These resources are all external to Mt. SAC and cover a wide range of needs.

      Los Angeles County

      Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LADMH)

      • 24/7 LACDMH’s Help Line - (800) 854-7771 - provides mental health support, resources and referrals
      • Crisis Lines:
        • County Crisis Line 1-800-854-7771
        • Didi Hirsch 1-877-727-4747

      Riverside County

      Riverside County Department of Mental Health (RCDMH)

      • Call 2-1-1 referrals for health and social services.
      • CARES Line Call - (800) 706-7500
      • Substance Use CARES Line - (800) 499-3008
      • 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care
        • Riverside: (951) 509-2499
        • Palm Springs: (442) 268-7000
        • Perris: (951) 349-4195
      • Peer Navigation Line Call: (888)768-4968

      San Bernardino County

      San Bernardino County Behavioral Health

      • For substance use disorder and recovery services call: 1.800.968.2636
      • In Crisis, but don't need 911? Call - (909) 386- 8256

      Orange County

      Orange County Behavioral Health Services

      • OC Links Behavioral Health Line is available 24/7 at (855) 625-4657
      • TDD Number: (714) 834-2332.

       

    • Mental Health Links

      Mental Health Links

      Domestic Violence

      LGBTQ+

      Sexual Assault

      Substance Abuse

      Suicide/Crisis Hotlines

      Veterans

      Winter Shelter

      Mental Health Websites

       

 

Urgent Mental Health Crisis After Hours:
Students experiencing significant emotional distress, or thoughts of harming self or others, have the following options:
  • Call the afterhours service at (909) 274-4984. Press “2” and immediately be connected with a trained counselor.
  • Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-(800) 273-8255
  • Text COURAGE to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Crisis Support: Text “HEARME” to 839863, available 24/7
  • or Call 9-1-1 or go the nearest Emergency Room.
After Hours Emotional Support:
Just need someone to talk to, but don’t have thoughts of hurting yourself or others?
  • Call LA County Department of Mental Health 24/7 1-(800) 854-7771, press 2
  • California Peer-Run Warm Line 855-845-7415