Students offered free services, self-help resources
The end of the semester and finals are quickly approaching, making it a stressful time for most students. Fortunately, the Del Mar Counseling Center is here to help.
The DMC counseling center offers several free services and self-help resources that students and faculty can take advantage of. They offer individual, couples and group counseling as well as student, faculty or staff consultations.
Jessica Edwards, one of five Del Mar College counselors, believes their Virtual Wellness To-Go workshops will appeal to DMC students the most.
“They are 30-minute virtual workshops designed to help students improve overall wellness,” Edwards said. “Students do not have to be in counseling services to attend them. They can pop in and then get back to their routines.”
There is one workshop each month, but the counseling center looks forward to doing more.
Each Del Mar counselor has different specialized interests they focus on such as childhood trauma, sexual violence, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and addiction.
According to Edwards, their services benefit each student in their own way.
“Individual counseling is a space where students can work one on one with the counselor to gain insight, learn skills, and process their challenges and lived experiences,” Edwards said. “Groups are also a space where students can learn skills and process, but they can also gain insight and support from others that have similar experiences.”
Counseling can be a stressful experience for some but Edwards stresses that DMC students are not alone.
“Counselors are here to guide you, support you through the process, and find what works best for you.” Edwards said.
Lisa Olmos, another DMC counselor, wants students to know they matter.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with students, showing that they are important, and that they’re not alone in whatever it is that they’re going through,” Olmos said. “Going to counseling is a courageous decision and I feel honored that I am able to walk alongside students on their journey of healing.”
All sessions, groups, workshops and virtual events are being conducted virtually through Microsoft TEAMS.
Students can schedule a “Virtual Walk-In” at delmar.edu/counsel. Students will fill out a form and a counselor will contact the student to conduct a 10-15 minute consultation. Students can also schedule appointments by emailing dmccounseling@delmar.edu or by calling 361-698-1586.
The turnaround time for an appointment after a Virtual Walk-In is two to three business days.
Students looking for self-help resources can find them on the counseling center website under “Self Help.”
Edwards also encourages students to join DMC’s Mindful Vikings, a student group focused on increasing mental health awareness on campus.
The counseling center will be participating in Denim Day on April 28 to show support for survivors of sexual assault. They ask that the DMC community participates by emailing pictures with messages of support for survivors of sexual assault.
The center’s hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. Students can contact them at dmccounseling@delmar.edu or 361-698-1649.
Workshop information and the latest updates can be found on the center’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and on Twitter @dmccounseling.
