May 23, 2018
ChesCo Commissioners Laud WCU’s Mental Health Services
Chester County's Board of Commissioners awarded a proclamation on Tuesday, May 22, to West Chester University for its commitment to address mental health issues on the campus, and in the Chester County area through its Community Mental Health Clinic, as well as its training certification courses in Mental Health First Aid. Awarded during Mental Health Awareness Month, the proclamation was accepted on the University's behalf by Clinic Director Leanne Valentine and Outreach Manager for the College of Health Sciences Amanda Blue.
The proclamation states: "The University's collaborative approach is increasing awareness and understanding about mental health, providing needed services, cultivating resilience, and having a lasting, positive impact on West Chester University students and all Chester County residents."
WCU Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) is affiliated with the West Chester University Doctor of Psychology Program. As a non-profit training and research facility, the Community Mental Health Clinic provides low-cost, cutting-edge psychotherapy, and testing to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. The Clinic, which officially opened on campus in August 2017, offers a wide range of psychological services, as well as specializations in trauma-related disorders and child & adolescent mental health. Located at 125 West Rosedale Avenue on the eighth floor of Wayne Hall, the Clinic provides services offered by graduate students earning a doctorate in psychology and who are supervised by experienced, licensed psychologists.
In addition to the Clinic, the University has provided free Mental Health First Aid instruction to more than 400 students and members of the WCU community, so individuals can recognize signs and feel confident in assisting with mental health concerns.
Dedicated to bringing the general public together with students, faculty, and staff in an effort to promote mental health awareness, the University's College of Health Sciences annually initiates Take a Mental Health Day, walks for suicide prevention, and educational programs that create overall awareness about the importance of mental health.
"On behalf of the College of Health Sciences, I am quite proud of this University's consistent and successful efforts to educate students and those in our community about the importance of mental health and overall healthy habits," said Scott Heinerichs, interim dean and professor of sports medicine, College of Health Sciences. "As a community partner, the University takes seriously the opportunity it has to help others through education and purposeful initiative."