Resources
We all need help at some point; it’s ok to ask for support. You can get the help you need. Listed below are resources available both at the college and in the community.
Valencia College Resources
Valencia College cares about the holistic wellness and success of every student. Check out the resources available to support you academically and to achieve your goals.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Advising Services (Student Success Coaching) | Assistance with degree planning, course selection, registration errors, academic warning/probation, and other academic advising questions. |
| Active Minds Student Organization- East Campus | Active Minds is a national leader for young adult mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. Consider joining this Valencia College club and reduce the stigma. |
| Answer Center | Provides information about enrollment, financial aid, assessment, transcripts, and more. |
| BayCare Student Assistance Program | Comprehensive support services and access to free mental health counseling. |
| Career Center |
Career exploration, employment readiness, resume writing, interview preparation, and other career-related services. |
| CCAMPIS |
CCAMPIS is a federal grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education that offers financial assistance to low-income student-parents in need of affordable, quality child care services during their pursuit of post-secondary education. |
| Counseling Services | College counselors provide assistance with strategies and resources to support student's holistic well-being. |
| Dispute Resolution | Access to reporting forms such as: grade disputes, code of conduct, discrimination, Title IX, and more. |
| Equal Opportunity and Employee Relations | For support regarding allegations of discrimination, harassment, or Title IX sexual misconduct. |
| Event Calendar | Search for campus events and activities to get involved and connect with others. |
| Financial Aid T.V. | Valuable financial aid information for current and future students. |
| Foundation Scholarship | Access to the application for hundreds of Valencia College Foundation Scholarships. |
| Internship & Workforce Services | Dedicated to educating and preparing Valencia College students for Central Florida's dynamic job market. |
| Learning Support | Virtual and face-to-face tutoring information, renting technology, and much more. |
| Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) | Committed to the fulfillment of equal educational opportunity, autonomy, and full inclusion for students with disabilities. |
| Safety & Security | Resources dedicated to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment including incident reporting, parking and student I.D. cards, and victim assistance agencies. |
| Skillshops | Free workshops that provide real-life solutions to common student issues. |
| Student Development | Get involved on campus and learn about clubs and organizations that Valencia College offers. Student organizations such as Active Minds are dedicated to opening up the conversation about mental health. |
| Student Rights & Responsibilities | Student Rights and Responsibilities supports the educational mission of the College by overseeing the Student Code of Conduct. |
| VCentials Food Market | A free source of food and essential items such as toiletries. |
| Veteran Affairs Office | Valencia College Veteran Services provides essential resources and support for our Veterans, Active-Duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel, their spouses and dependents. |
Community Resources
Below are support networks and local organizations that offer assistance, including crisis hotlines, emergency financial assistance, temporary housing and food insecurity, substance use resources, and mental health support.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| 211 | Assistance finding food, resources, health care expenses, and more. |
| Al-Anon | Mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s substance use. |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | Find AA meetings in Orlando, Florida to help you on your road to recovery. Related to: Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. Find more information at aa.org. |
| American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) | Organization dedicated to education about mental health and suicide prevention, and supporting those impacted by suicide. |
| College Consensus |
Guide to overcoming substance misuse in college: Resources for recovery. |
| Cornerstone Connections |
Resource for social assistance and case management in the community for Orange County residents. |
| Crisis Text Line | Connect with a crisis counselor via text, also available in Spanish. |
| Findhelp.org | Find food assistance, help paying bills and other free programs. |
| FindTreatment.gov | Confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories. |
| NAMI Resource Guide | National Helpline Resource Directory. |
| National Suicide Prevention LifeLine | 24/7 confidential support for people in distress, and prevention resources. |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) | Agency to help reduce impact of substance misuse and mental illness; find treatment, data, and programs. |
Get Involved
Your community needs you. Get involved by joining with dedicated organizations supporting underrepresented and marginalized communities who are struggling with mental illness and other issues. Click to find links to existing groups who are actively making a difference in people's lives.
State and National Resources for the LGBTQIA+ Community
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| 26 Health | All-inclusive health services for the LGBTQIA+ community. |
| Hope and Help | Comprehensive health education, prevention, testing, and treatment for HIV/STI. |
| GSA Network | Trans and queer youth organization for racial and gender justice. |
| Point Foundation | Helping LGBTQIA+ students achieve their potential through scholarship opportunities. |
| QLatinx | A grassroots racial, social, and gender justice organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Central Florida's LGBTQ+ Latinx community. |
| The Center | Health services, mental health counseling, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. |
| Trevor Project | The world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ youth. |
| Zebra Coalition | The Coalition assists LGBTQIA+ youth facing homelessness, bullying, and isolation from families with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability. |
Valencia College Resources for the LGBTQIA+ Community
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| GSA Club East Campus | Valencia College Resources for the LGBTQIA+ Community GSA Club East Campus. |
| GSA Club Osceola Campus | Valencia College Resources for the LGBTQIA+ Community GSA Club Osceola Campus. |
| Pulse | Remembering Pulse with comprehensive LGBTQIA+ Resources. *Requires Atlas Login |
Veterans
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Florida Department of Veteran Affairs | Official Florida Veteran site with resources, benefits counseling, and crisis hotline. |
| Give An Hour | No cost, barrier free mental health care to military and veterans. |
| Man Therapy | Connects men to vetted mental health and support resources, local qualified care, online support groups, and skills mastery programs. |
| Suicide Prevention Lifeline | Veterans resources for current or former service members in crisis. |
| US Department of Veterans Affairs | Official Veteran Affairs site with resources, suicide prevention, and information for veterans in crisis. |
| Veterans Crisis Line | Caring and qualified help from the Department of Veteran Affairs. |
First Responders
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| 2nd Alarm Project | The 2nd Alarm Project, which includes Florida’s 10-4 Center for Responder Resiliency, is a nonprofit organization established to offer comprehensive, evidence-based resiliency initiatives in our first responder communities. |
| Code Green Campaign | Our main goals as an organization are to improve mental wellness for first responders and to reduce barriers to accessing mental health care. |
| Florida Division of Emergency Management | Mental Health Resources for First Responders. |
| ResponderStrong | Since 2016, ResponderStrong has supported the mental health and overall wellbeing of Emergency Responders, including Healthcare Workers, and their families. |
| Suicide Prevention Resource Center | Resources dedicated to the prevention of suicide and assisting individuals in crisis, programs, and training specifically for first responders. |
Survivors of Suicide Loss
| Alliance of Hope | Alliance of Hope has been working to decrease stigma, increase understanding of the suicide loss experience, and provide direct support to survivors. |
| American Association of Suicidology | Toolkit for suicide loss survivors and handbook for coping with suicide grief. |
| ASF- I've Lost Someone | Support for individuals who have lost someone to suicide. Includes personal support, support groups, space to honor lost loved ones and a healing guide. |
| Florida Department of Children and Families | Local support for suicide loss survivors. |
| Friends for Survival | Friends for Survival is not just a support group, but a “suicide bereavement support program.” A program that offers a variety of services on a long-term basis to meet the complicated needs of families. |
| Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Loss Survivors | How to help others impacted, how to help yourself, and additional resources to help loss survivors. |
| Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) | Support for survivors of military suicide loss by offering them hope, healing, and renewed opportunities for personal growth. |
People Of The Global Majority
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| SPRC - Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) | Resources dedicated to the prevention of suicide and assisting individuals in crisis, programs, and training specifically for AAPI. |
| Elders in Tribal Communities | Video site discussing mental health issues in Tribal communities. |
| Mental Health America | Resources for Latinx and Hispanic communities, in both English and Spanish. |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | Video series surrounding mental wellness within the Latinx and Hispanic Communities, in both English and Spanish. |
| National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | Resources for suicide prevention in Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. |
| ASFP - Elevating Voices for Long-Lasting Change Town Hall Series | A Town Hall Series, including resources around discrimination, and stigma surrounding the mental health experiences of BIPOC communities. |
| AFSP - Black Mental Health Guide | Printable guide and toolkit for mental health support and resources. |
| AFSP - Resources for Underrepresented Communities | Resources for suicide prevention focused on supporting individuals of the global majority. |
Faculty/Staff
Valencia College cares. Here is how we can support you and our students. Click here to find resources and trainings to support students, as well as topics related to faculty and staff mental health.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Counseling Services | Refer a student of concern, request a classroom presentation, or review resources. |
| Employee Assistance Program | Confidential assessments and counseling for employees. |
| Equal Opportunity and Employee Relations | For support regarding allegations of discrimination, harassment, or Title IX misconduct. |
| Edge PD Course: LFMP 3349 | Recognizing and Supporting Students in Distress - Identify warning signs of students experiencing emotional distress and understanding best practices for providing support and referrals. *Requires Atlas Login |
| Edge PD Course: QPR Gatekeeper Training | Suicide Prevention training for faculty and staff. *Requires Atlas Login |
| Safety & Security | Resources dedicated to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment including incident reporting, parking and student I.D. cards, and victim assistance agencies. |
Take Action/Get Involved
Taking steps towards emotional and mental health is a journey. Click here for resources to support you and your community and learn how to take action and speak out.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Five Signs of Emotional Distress | Take the pledge to learn the signs of distress and learn how to get involved. |
| John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation | Build a healthy ecosystem to support your mental wellbeing. |
| Project Healthy Minds | Join this movement to change mental health. |
| Seize the Awkward Challenge | Guide to starting a conversation about mental health. |
| Take 5 Challenge | Learn the 5 steps to help prevent suicide. |
Real Stories
Sometimes, the effects of tragedy and triumph don’t become real until you witness them. Read and view first hand accounts of heart wrenching and heartwarming experiences from real people who have lived through adversity from any number of life events.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| AFSP Older Men | James Purvis shares advice to older men when speaking about mental health. |
| After you lose someone close to you | Sharon Drake shares a 40 second testimony on after losing someone close to you by suicide. |
| Seize the Awkward | Having a conversation with a friend about mental health can be awkward. Watch a short clip for tips on how. |
| I Don't Mind Journal | Mental health campaign with a mission to inspire open conversations about mental health and to provide resources, education, and encouragement for anyone who needs it. |
| Mental Health Conversations in the Black Community | Video on changing the conversation on mental health and suicide in the Black community. |
| Send Silence Packing | Learn how to take action through active strategies to prioritize mental health, and shared stories of hope. |
| Students on the Edge | Video of real-life depictions of mental health through the lens of university students. Content Warning: discussions of drug and alcohol use and suicide. |
| To Write Love On Her Arms | Podcast and Blog- Movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. |
| Voices of Hope | Advice for friends and families of those on their mental health journey. |
This website was developed [in part] under a grant number 6H79SM080474-03M0018 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.