Long Beach City College students are learning to better cope with their mental health and break the stigma behind mental health issues by attending this fall semester’s depression workshops hosted by the Student Health Department.
Several students from different backgrounds went to one of the workshops on October 4 to learn about the healthy steps they can take in order to approach the topic of mental health. While some students attended the events for extra credit, others also attend the workshop in seek of support.
Both PCC and LAC are holding workshops throughout the semester to help students with stress management and depression.
Aside from the many topics discussed at the workshop, the main focus was geared toward helping students learn the positive steps to promote a healthy well being.
Communications major Emma Miller shared her story.
“I suffer from this problem. It was embarrassing for me but now I am not afraid to talk about [it],” Miller expressed.
LBCC uses these workshops to help students become more aware about mental health issues.
Adjunct counselor with student support services Daisy Cook is in charge of all the events. Cook has helped a lot of students by commuting between both campuses to offer advice and support to students who attend.
“It is important for students to have these types of workshops on campus. I am so happy to help students. I don’t think they have mental problems, on the contrary they’re wonderful,” said Cook.
“It can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter your skin color, nationality or economic background, you can suffer from depression.”
Cook provided an open and free space for students to share their thoughts and experiences about depression.
The Student Mental Health Services department has their own website where students are able to set up appointments to speak with Daisy Cook in person.
Veteran and English major Nestor Ramirez also went to the event and told his story about war and how the tragedy of war can have an impact in people’s lives.
“I am a veteran. I am here because I want to know the solutions to my depression,” Ramirez expressed.
Patricia Lopez, an LBCC student in the nursing program, attended the workshop to receive extra credit for one of her classes. Only 5 classes away from transferring, Lopez shared her story with the workshop.
“All my family suffer from depression. My grandmother died for this problem. I never realized I had this problem. I cry when I am alone and I don’t know why,” Lopez expressed.
She continued, “I will come to the next workshop. After this, I realized I suffer from depression. I was afraid to admit. Daisy will be a good help for me.”
The Long Beach native explained the atmosphere in her high school years in 2014.
“I never had friends, I was a quiet student. I was afraid that my classmates wouldn’t like me because I was short and wore glasses,” Lopez added.
The next mental health workshops will be covering the topic of mindfulness and relaxation. The first workshop will be on October 17 at LAC from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at E building. The second workshop will be at PCC on October 23 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in GG-238.