Mental health support plays a crucial role in promoting equity by ensuring that all students—regardless of their background, identity, or life circumstances—have a fair opportunity to succeed academically and personally. At The Mindful Space, we are committed to:
Ensuring LGBTQIA+ Students, Staff, and Faculty have a Designated Liaison
Dr. Christa Banton, the college's current LGBTQIA+ Liaison, is dedicated to supporting, empowering, and advocating for LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty through confidential consultations and personalized support.
Individuals may seek assistance with concerns related to sexual harassment, sexual violence, discrimination, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other LGBTQIA+ related matters per SB 1491. These can be events/situations that occurred on or off campus. Resources and options are provided but Title IX reporting is not mandatory.
All appointments are confidential. To schedule a meeting, call 760-252-6873 and ask for a "Private Consultation with Dr. Christa Banton." You are not required to provide your name or any identifying information when making your request.
Supporting Academic Performance & Reducing Barriers to Success
Students from marginalized or underrepresented groups often face additional stressors such as financial hardship, discrimination, or family responsibilities. Mental health challenges can significantly impact concentration, motivation, and attendance which leaves students at higher risk of leaving college. Equitable support ensures:
- Access to academic accommodations
- Workshops and resources on stress management, time management, and resilience
- Safe spaces for students to process their experience
- Referrals to wraparound services (e.g., financial aid, housing support, peer mentoring)
- FREE access to therapeutic services so they can stay enrolled and graduate.
Empowering Student Voices
The Active Minds Club at Barstow Community College is a campus chapter of Active Minds, a nonprofit organization that promotes mental health, suicide prevention, and stigma reduction. We aim to use the student voice to change the conversations around mental health on our campus and our community. For more information on the Active Minds Club, please fill out our interest form: https://bit.ly/activemindsBCC
Promoting Inclusion and Belonging
The Mindful Space is committed to culturally competent and inclusive help so students feel seen and supported. This includes:
- Hiring diverse counselors who understand different cultural contexts
- Offering support groups for specific identities (e.g., LGBTQ+ students, first-gen students)
- Hosting awareness campaigns that reduce stigma across all communities
Reducing Student Mental Health Stigma
StigmaFree Pledge
The StigmaFree campaign is NAMI’s effort to end stigma and create hope for those affected by mental illness. Through powerful words and actions, we can shift the social and systemic barriers for those living with mental health conditions
Take the Pledge: https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Pledge-to-Be-StigmaFree/StigmaFree-Me/StigmaFree-Pledge
