Outreach & Prevention Services

The University Counseling Center’s (UCC) Outreach Services focus on increasing student mental health awareness and emotional well-being through prevention, awareness, education and stigma reduction. By getting outside of the Counseling Center and meeting with students in formats or settings that are part the college experience, we connect with students who traditionally would not be likely to seek counseling services. These might include students who don’t know about the Counseling Center, are uncomfortable with the idea of using services due to mental health stigma, need support but not counseling or just need information about helping a distressed friend. If you are interested in having the Counseling Center partner with your department or student organization on an upcoming event or program or if you would like the Counseling Center to provide a classroom or departmental presentation or training, please contact Outreach Coordinator Brenna Lozano at Breanna.lozano@tamucc.edu. Since our outreach calendar is finalized prior to the start of each semester, we may not be able to accommodate all requests.

Visit our I-Engage page to see the UCC’s current calendar of events.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention is an important initiative on college campuses across the country. It is important to know what to do if you, a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or a classmate is having a crisis or thoughts of suicide. The short video below covers the warning signs that someone is in distress, and what you can do to help.

We offer two FREE trainings geared at helping TAMU-CC students, faculty, and staff recognize depression and prevent suicide are available.

The QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training is a 60-90 minute training during which participants learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how to intervene and help someone who is depressed or suicidal by using the three steps of QPR (question, persuade, refer).

Contact Lisa.olmos@tamucc.edu to schedule a QPR Training for your department or for information about upcoming scheduled QPR trainings open to all faculty and staff.

SOS for Higher Ed: Suicide Prevention for Students is a free 30 minute online training that coaches students on how to recognize and talk to an emotionally distressed peer who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts and refer them to campus support services. To access the training go to mindwise.digitalchalk.com, create an account, enter redemption code texasamcc. After completing the training, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Suicide prevention is an important initiative on college campuses across the country. It is important to know what to do if you, a friend, a family member, or a classmate is having a crisis or thoughts of suicide. This short video covers the warning signs that someone is in distress, and what you can do to help.

Our Signature Outreach Programs

The Counseling Center in conjunction with the I-SPEAK Suicide Prevention Grant sponsored the first annual TAMU-CC Mental Health Spooktacular in October 2022 which was attended by over 600 students. Mental Health Spooktacular is an uplifting mental health promotion and suicide prevention event that includes interactive booths, peer-to-peer messaging, support of multiple campus departments and groups, free food, and exciting prizes and giveaways.

Since 2012, the UCC has hosted Paws on the Island at the end of each semester for students to alleviate the stress of final exams and learn about the benefits of the University Counseling Center. We partner with GO Team Therapy Dogs to bring therapy dogs, with Mimi’s Mini Farm to bring small farm animals (pigs, goats, chickens, bunnies, ducks), with Pet Partners volunteers to bring therapy llamas, and with Edgar & Ivy to bring adoption-ready kittens to campus for student enjoyment. We also partner with Aveda Institute of Corpus Christi and Aveda students provide relaxing mini-massages. A wide variety of stress relieving activities are also provided which makes this an event that students look forward to all year! The next Paws event will be on Monday, March 5^th, from Noon - 3 p.m. in UC Anchor Ballrooms and UC courtyard.