ACTC offering counseling services to students

Oct. 28, 2019

     Ashland Community and Technical College is partnering with Mountain Comprehensive Care Center to offer another resource for students to help them be as successful as possible.
     On Oct. 22, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center opened an office on ACTC’s College Drive Campus to provide mental health counseling services to help students cope with mood disorders and related issues, situational or phase of life difficulties, parenting or family issues, behavior issues and more.
     “We are excited to have Mountain Comprehensive Care on campus to serve our students,” said Steve Woodburn, dean of student success and enrollment services. “ACTC realizes that our students have many needs which may hinder their academic success. Services such as our Pathfinder Food Pantry, which we opened earlier this year, and now counseling services, will provide resources which will remove barriers to academic success.”
     Mountain Comprehensive received a grant to provide mental health counseling in several community colleges across the state, said Tyler Cotten, clinic coordinator of the Russell site and Safe Harbor.
     “It’s important to seek out services because it’s more common than people think,” Cotten said. “Anytime I’ve done group therapy or support groups, people are always surprised at who all struggles with the same things they do. There is no shame in receiving counseling, a lot of people do. A lot of people are on medication for things. The sooner you can reach out for help and receive services, the better. If you don’t, it’s going to negatively impact your work, your school, your personal life.”
     Cotten also advised the any services students seek are completely confidential and fall under HIPAA privacy rules.
   “This is something we have been hoping to do for some time and we’re very excited to have this partnership,” said Heather Shelton, ACTC’s manager of disability services. “We recognize the holistic nature of our students and the importance of addressing mental health. We are aware that it impacts how they perform academically.”
     Heather Stinson, mental health associate with Mountain Comprehensive, will be available to students from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in room 156, across from the CDC bookstore. Stinson has a master’s degree in psychology and a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Ashford University.
     “Your mental health pretty much contributes to your whole life,” she said. “When you’re not doing good mentally, you’re not doing good in any aspect, whether you’re a parent or in school.”
     Services will be provided at no cost to the students, although clients are asked to bring a photo ID and copy of their insurance card if available.
     Drop-ins are welcome if Stinson is not in session and services are on a first-come first-served basis. To schedule an appointment with Stinson, students can call 606-833-2583.