1.  Retention  Liability

2.  Studies show that students receiving counseling services are more likely to stay in school than students who don’t receive counseling services. 1, 2  Quarterly evaluations indicate that our services help students stay enrolled, rating of 4.6 out of 5.  More students are coming to college with mental health issues, often times requiring psychotropic medications. 3, 4

3.  Provide short-term counseling and crisis intervention that addresses any and all issues that are impacting academic performance and/or overall functioning.  Counselors help students identify problem issues, steps they can take to resolve those issues, and resources they can access to help them resolve issues. Fall 2013 – Spring 2015 # of appointments1661 # of crises/drop-ins206

4.  As students’ issues become more severe and complex, problem resolution also becomes more complex often requiring collaboration. Suicide is the third leading cause of death on college campuses. Fall 2013 – Spring 2015 Suicidal ideation119 Homicidal ideation16 Harm to others ideation57 Self harm49

5.  Participate on the Behavior Intervention Team (BIT): provide consultation and intervention for distressed students and/or students of concern.  Offer workshops on topics like study and time management skills, test anxiety, stress management, how to have healthy relationships.

6.  Consult and collaborate with faculty, staff, students, other mental health and medical providers, and parents regarding distressed students, students of concern.  Outreach to other mental health providers in order to be able to provide relevant referrals. Fall 2013– Spring 2015 # of consultations499

7.  Participate on campus committees.  Participate in Student Affairs activities.  Participate in division activities:  Attend division meetings  Observe adjuncts  Participate on instruction-related committees

8.  Institutions continue to be under increasing scrutiny regarding how they address students’ mental health issues and needs.  The International Association of Counseling Services has recommended a counselor to student ratio of: 1 counselor: 1,000 – 1,500 students 5 At GRC between Fall 2013 – Spring 2015, the average headcount of students per quarter was 6,188. GRC ratio of counselors to students: 1 counselor: 2,602 students

9.  Students who receive mental health counseling are more likely to stay enrolled.  Faculty, students, and staff have access to mental health services and support.  Counselors are trained to respond to crisis situations.  Counselors connect students with much needed resources both on campus and in the community.

10. 1 Lee, D., Olson, E. A., Locke, B., Testa Michelson, S., & Odes, E. (2009). The Effects of College Counseling Services on Academic Performance and Retention. Journal of College Student Development, 50 (3), 305 – 319. 2 Turner, A. L. & Berry, T. R. (2000). Counseling Center Contributions to Student Retention and Graduation: A Longitudinal Assessment. Journal of College Student Development, 41 (6), 627 – 636. 3 Gallagher, P. (2010). National Survey of College Counseling. Retrieved from http://www.iacsinc.org/NSCCD%202012.pdf. http://www.iacsinc.org/NSCCD%202012.pdf 4 American College Health Association (2012). Reference Group Executive Summary Spring 2012. Retrieved from http://www.acha-ncha.org/docs/ACHA-NCHA- II_ReferenceGroup_ExecutiveSummary_Spring2012.pdf.http://www.acha-ncha.org/docs/ACHA-NCHA- II_ReferenceGroup_ExecutiveSummary_Spring2012.pdf 5 The International Association of Counseling Services. Statement Regarding Recommended Staff to Student Ratios. Retrieved from http://www.iacsinc.org/Statement%20Regarding%20Ratios.pdf. http://www.iacsinc.org/Statement%20Regarding%20Ratios.pdf