Many Grossmont College students may not realize they are eligible to receive a range of medical and mental health services for free on campus.

Grossmont College’s Health and Wellness Center, located in Building 60-130, provides students with free physical and mental health services. These services include first aid, health screenings, and immunizations. The Health and Wellness Center also offers free mental health counseling and resources that will support student welfare on and off campus.

Subhawana Pradhananga, Health Services supervisor and Registered Nurse at the Health and Wellness Center, stated that the center’s main goal is to ensure that students can focus on their studies while also receiving health care.

“Some of the main health services that are available to enrolled students on campus include the two full-time registered nurses that students can come see anytime, minor first aid, physical examination and referrals to other medical providers if students need it,” Pradhananga said.

The Center also assists students in navigating medical care outside of the campus if required. Pradhananga said staff members can provide referrals and assist students with the paperwork for injury or accident claims.

“In addition to that, we provide accident and injury liability insurance to all our enrolled students who are on campus,” Pradhananga said. “If they ever get hurt during class or an event, we can help them fill out claim forms.”

The Center is also constantly distributing preventive health supplies such as tampons, condoms, and Narcan, a medication that is used to reverse opioid overdose. Students can also receive fentanyl testing strips and drink-spiking detection strips, as well as laboratory screenings and even immunization shots.

Mental Health Services are another major service offered to students for free and completely confidentially. These services can include anxiety, stress, or even relationship issues. The counseling program includes eight mental health counselors, with a mix of full-time and part-time team members.

Pradhananga said that students most commonly visit the center for everyday concerns.

“Some of the most common things students come in for include headaches, stomach aches, allergies and immunizations,” she said.

The Center is also preparing for its annual Health and Wellness Fair on April 15, which will bring community health organizations and campus partners to promote health resources. This event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the quad and will include food, informational booths, and a popular grounding station.

Despite the wide range of available services, Pradhananga said many students are still unaware of what the center can offer.

“A lot of our staff, faculty, and students don’t know much about us,” Pradhananga said. They know we have a nurse, but they don’t really know what a nurse does here. We’re trying to advertise more about what we do so students can use our services.”

Health services are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students can schedule an appointment with the Health and Wellness Center by calling 619-644-7192 or visiting grossmont.edu/mental-health.