Mental Health is one of the most important facets of a person’s health and well-being. VCCCD and Moorpark College, Oxnard College, and Ventura College support students' mental health through education and free, confidential services.
The stresses and obstacles that our students experience through their coursework and life outside of school impact all parts of their lives. To support our students, employees, and community members, we join efforts nationwide to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
If you are struggling with your mental health, please see the resources below for information and services. Remember, you are not alone.
Getting the Help You Need
The Student Health Centers at Moorpark College, Oxnard College, and Ventura College offer short-term, confidential mental health counseling that is free to currently enrolled students.
Therapists support our students with the following concerns:
- Anxiety
- Relationship Difficulties
- Family Struggles
- Depression
- Identity Concerns
- Parenting Challenges
- Stress Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Academic Challenges
- Grief and Loss
- Negative Body Image
- Loneliness
Students, please set up a free, confidential consultation with our trained and caring professionals at each college:
- Moorpark College Student Health Center: 805-378-1413
- Oxnard College Student Health Center: 805-678-5832
- Ventura College Student Health Center: 805-289-6346
When campuses are closed, there are still resources available in the community. During holidays and breaks between terms, please contact the resources below for additional mental health support:
Ventura County Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Treatment: If you are struggling with an addiction call 844-385-9200.
Ventura County Behavioral Health: If you are in need of mental health support and are experiencing severe mental illness symptoms visit their website or call 866-998-2243.
Ventura County Mental Health Crisis Team (24/7): If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis where they might be a danger to themselves or others call 866-998-2243 or call 911.
Diversity Collective: Access LGBTQ+ services in Ventura County. Learn more at www.DiversityCollectiveVC.org
Additional resources from local, state, and national organizations:
#BeThe1To: #BeThe1To.com details the five evidence-based steps that any individual can take to help someone who is in a suicidal crisis, as well as stories of recovery.
211: If you need assistance with mental health services, finding food, or healthcare expenses, visit 211.
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: The services locator offers confidential and anonymous sources of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the Unities States for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential. Call the hotline at 1-800-4 A CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or go to their website.
Coalition for Family Harmony: Provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Learn more at their website TheCoalition.org
Compassionate Friends: Provides support for bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents who have lost a child. Chapter meetings are open to families that have experienced the death of a child at any age, including pre-birth, from any cause. Learn more on the Compassionate Friends website.
Crisis Text Line: Free, 24/7 support texting service for those in crisis. Text HOME to 741741.
CrisisText Service: If you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate crisis, text "HEARME" to 839863.
Didi Hirsch 24-hour Suicide Hotline 877-727-4747
Disaster Distress Helpline: A national hotline providing year-round immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or visit http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Diversity Collective: Access LGBTQ+ services in Ventura County. Learn more at www.DiversityCollectiveVC.org
DoD Safe Helpline (operated by RAINN): A support service specially designed to provide live, one-on-one support to sexual assault survivors and their loved ones within the Department of Defense community. Call 1-877-995-5247 or receive info by text: Text your zip code or installation/base name to 55-247
Livingston Memorial Grief and Bereavement Counseling: Free counseling for students experiencing any grief-related issues. Call 805-389-6870.
Love Is Respect: Trained peer advocates offer support, information, and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. Call 1-866-331-9474, text 22522 or go to their website: http://www.loveisrespect.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness: Access mental health education, the NAMI HelpLine, support groups, and resources at NAMI.org (National) or NAMICA.org (California-specific)
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: Call 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838) to connect with the Homeless Point of Contact at the nearest VA facility or to receive information regarding the homeless programs and services available. Services are also available by online chat.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Callers to The Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 can expect highly trained, experienced advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services. Learn more at http://www.thehotline.org
National Eating Disorder: The National Eating Disorders Association supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care. Call 1-800-931-2237 or go to their website: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
National Human Trafficking Resource Center: A national anti-trafficking hotline and resource center serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. Call 1-888-373-7888 or visit https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/. To report suspected human trafficking anonymously, https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/report-trafficking
National Institute of Mental Health: Learn more about mental disorders, find a health care provider, or get immediate help in a crisis at NIMH.NIH.gov
National Runaway Safeline: Youth and family members can connect to the hotline or online crisis services to work through problems and find local help from social service agencies and organizations. Call 1-800-RUNAWAY 1-800-786-2929, text 66008, or join the online chat at http://www.1800runaway.org
National Victim Connect Helpline: Provides live, anonymous referrals and support for victims of crime, their friends, and families Monday-Friday from 8:30am-7:30pm, EST. Call 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
RAINN–Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network: To access the National Sexual Assault Hotline and receive support, guidance, and advocacy for those who have been affected by sexual assault or violence, call 1-800-656-4673 or visit https://www.rainn.org
S.A.F.E. Self-injury: (Information only) Offering education and support, SAFE Alternatives works to promote healthy choices over self-injury. Educational-only. Call 1-800-366-8288 or visit http://www.rainn.org
SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: An online source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems. Visit https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: This Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Learn more at http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Stalking Resource Center: Provides training and technical assistance to communities to enhance their response to stalking. Services professionals and the general public.
Stomp Out Bullying: Stomp Out Bullying is an anti-bullying organization focused on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. Learn more at http://www.stompoutbullying.org/
Stop Bullying: StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying. Learn more at http://www.stopbullying.gov
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Call 1-800-662-4357 to access SAMHSA's National Helpline for 24/7 treatment referral. Additional information can be found at SAMHSA.gov
Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7): If you’re in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call 988
Text "Courage" to 741741 for FREE 24/7 for mental health support.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 24/7, free, and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Includes information on finding your local crisis center. Call them at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or go to their website.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors: Call 1-800-959-TAPS (8277) to access compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in our Armed Forces. For more, visit http://www.taps.org/
Trans Lifeline Hotline: Staffed by transgender people for transgender people and gender non-conforming people, Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs members of the community might have. The line is primarily for transgender people experiencing a crisis. This includes people who may be struggling with their gender identity and are not sure that they are transgender. Call 1-877-565-8860 or visit http://www.translifeline.org/
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a leading national crisis intervention service aimed to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people between ages 13–24. Their hotline is available 24/7 and offers phone, texting, and chat services at 1-212-695-8650. Learn more at http://www.thetrevorproject.org
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work: Tele-Mental Health
Veterans Crisis Line (24/7): For veterans and their loved ones. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or visit veteranscrisisline.net.
Here are some articles with helpful tips on Wellness topics:
Health and Wellness
Health and Wellness Guide for Busy College Students from Purdue University
Student Health and Wellness Guide from Center for Online Education
8 Ways to Sustain Health and Wellness as a College Student from Chapman University
101 Health & Wellness Tips for College Students from Delta College
How to Maintain Mental and Physical Health in College from BestColleges.com
Self-Care for College Students: Learn How to Prioritize Your Wellness from University of Massachusetts Global
Study Habits
Essential Skills for College Students from Clarke University
8 Highly Effective Study Habits from PsychCentral
Stress
Stress from Iowa State University
Stress from University of Chicago
Stress Management from Marquette University
Navigating Stress During a Pandemic from University of Connecticut
Anxiety
Why Living With Anxiety Is Like Walking on Custard by Neil Hughes
Understanding Anxiety Disorders: When Panic, Fear, and Worries Overwhelm from the National Institutes of Health
Depression
Speaking Up is the First Step to Overcoming Depression
If You Have Thoughts About Suicide Like I Do, Please Read This by Shawn Henfling