Mental health professional seeks to reduce stigma, increase awareness
Nadine Henley believes that academic success and wellness go hand in hand.
"I genuinely love working with community college students. I enjoy watching them invest in their health and wellness, becoming active and empowered participants in their own success," she says. "It is an honor to see them not only reach, but surpass their goals."
Ms. Henley joined the college community in July 2022, becoming Citrus College's first ever mental health supervisor. In her new role, she is responsible for providing direct mental health services for students. In addition to offering crisis intervention, she will develop, administer, coordinate, evaluate and promote mental health and wellness services on campus.
"The opportunity for growth within a college that embraces change, innovation and stigma reduction at a time when mental health is crucial to student retention is what drew me to Citrus College," Ms. Henley says. "I am excited to grow this area of service. It is important to me that students and staff know that I am not only present, but open to being of help."
A licensed clinical social worker who has served community college students for nearly five years, Ms. Henley worked as an adjunct mental health counselor for San Diego City College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Fullerton College, Grossmont City College and Mesa City College. She has also worked as the senior academic counselor for the University of San Diego's Eleanor Roosevelt College.
Ms. Henley holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from California State University, Long Beach, and a master's degree in social work from San Diego State University.
This article originally appeared in the October 2022 edition of the Citrus View.