At College of the Canyons, the Student Health and Wellness Center provides medical and mental health support, services that many students don’t realize are available to them.
“The Student Health and Wellness Center offers medical and mental health services. For medical, we offer mental health checkups like blood pressure checks, STD checks or pregnancy tests. We also offer first aid, and we offer over-the-counter medication. On the mental-health side, we offer six sessions per semester, provided that you are enrolled in a one-unit course,” said Priscilla Benites.
The center also provides resources that many students may not be aware of, including workshops, wellness clubs, and monthly mental health events. Before using the services, students must sign in through the online patient portal.
First-time users create an account and complete the required medical and counseling forms.
“It’s important we have a health center here at COC because students have direct access and easy access to our services, which you know can help reduce anxiety, keep a student healthy, and all of those can lead to student success,” said Benites.
Students can use their six counseling sessions however they choose, spreading them out during the semester or meeting weekly, as long as it’s not twice in the same week.
After the forms are completed, appointments can be made online through the portal or by calling the office during business hours.
The center encourages students to prioritize their health, saying these services play an important role in helping them manage stress and succeed academically.