Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. MHFA training sessions are held throughout the semester for faculty, staff, and students. The training sessions are advertised via email and participants register on a first-come, first serve basis. Please contact cmelia@epcc.edu if you would like to schedule a MHFA training session for your department or class.
Learn more about Mental Health First Aid here: mentalhealthfirstaid.org
Trainings dates at EPCC for the Spring 2024 semester are: Feb 3rd, Mar 1st, Apr 6th, and May 5th. The Friday, May 5th training will be held at the downtown Emergence Health Office and not at EPCC. An email will be sent from mha@epcc.edu to solicit registration.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Contact Person: Carrie Van Houdt
Phone: (915) 831-2458
E-mail: cmelia@epcc.edu
Mental Health Mini-Conference:
The Mental Health Committee sponsors the Mental Health Mini-Conference every Fall and Spring semester during EPCC's Faculty Development Week. Workshops are given on a variety of topics such as EPCC Mental Health Committee updates, addressing mental health conditions in the classroom, mental health wellness techniques such as mindfulness, stress management, and more.
Mental Health Mini Conference
Contact Person: Adriana Flores
Phone: (915) 831-2534
E-mail: aflor264@epcc.edu
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Peer Connection Recovery Support Group is a confidential support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition, led by trained peer facilitators. The group offers a safe environment for participants to express themselves with people who understand the challenges they face. The group model creates upbeat and constructive meetings and promotes productive discussion. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others.
During the Spring 2024 semester, the general support groups are held virtually every Thursday night from 6:30pm - 8pm. Please email Carrie Van Houdt at cmelia@epcc.edu for the link or any questions.
Learn more about the El Paso Chapter of NAMI here: namiep.org
Based on a Spring 2023 survey of EPCC faculty and staff, we are currently working on implementing EPCC Employee-specific support groups. If you are interested in becoming a trained facilitator, please contact Carrie Van Houdt at cmelia@epcc.edu.
The Mental Health Committee previously surveyed currently-enrolled EPCC students at the end of the Spring 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters to determine the impact of mental health issues on retention and well-being. Results of these surveys led to the creation of the Social Services/Mental Health Center at EPCC. The results were compiled into written reports and can be found below.
Student Mental Health Report, 2019
Mental Health Surveys
Contact Person: Carrie Van Houdt
Phone: (915) 831-2458
E-mail: cmelia@epcc.edu
Faculty and staff are surveyed regularly by the Mental Health Committee on topics such as the number of students that approach faculty/staff with their mental health issues, opinions on providing mental health care at EPCC, knowledge of community resources, need for an EPCC employee support group, and need for an EPCC employee retirement group. The results are compiled into written reports and can be found below.
Mental Health Surveys
Contact Person: Carrie Van Houdt
Phone: (915) 831-2458
E-mail: cmelia@epcc.edu
If you think you are in crisis, please call or text 988.
You may also call:
