News

Actions

Free mental health counseling at University of Phoenix

Posted at 7:15 AM, May 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-17 10:16:15-04

Doctors and students at University of Phoenix are trying to erase the stigma of mental health counseling by offering free help to the community.

The College of Social Sciences is running a pro-bono clinic on campus where graduate students work with certified doctors to get the experience they need while helping the community.

The school says almost every county in the U.S. has a critical shortage of mental health providers and this program aims to fill the gap.

Doctors also don't want worries over a co-pay to hold people back from getting help.

Clinical Director Dr. Mandee Bahadar says counseling isn't just for people struggling with depression or mental health disabilities; counseling can also help with anxiety, navigating divorce, finding a new job, even life coaching.

"We're a whole person. We're not just our body. We're not just our mind. We're not just our emotion. We are everything and so if we ignore our mental wellness, or our mental emotional health, then then we are doing a disservice to our body," said Dr. Bahadar.

The clinic is located on the main campus in Tempe on Fountainhead Parkway. The clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.