Students in Crisis
GCC Counseling Faculty are available to help students with emergency situations that cause distress, but it's important to remember they do not serve as mental health therapists. When a Counseling Faculty member determines that a student may benefit from psycho-therapeutic assessment and/or clinical treatment, the student will be referred to appropriate community mental health resources.
Counseling Faculty, like other representatives of Maricopa Community Colleges, maintain the privacy of student information as outlined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). There is no charge for counseling services.
When you see a friend or fellow student exhibit the following signs of distress, tell them about Counseling Services, and when possible, bring them to our office.
Emotional and Physical Signs of Distress
- Anxiety
- Change in hygiene or appearance
- Bruises, burns, or cuts
- Depression
- Inappropriate anger
- Tearfulness, crying, or overwhelmed
- Substance abuse
- Bizarre thoughts
- Agitation or acting out
- Expressed suicidal thoughts
- Threat to others
- Disoriented
Counseling faculty are available during business hours to assist with emotional difficulties that warrant immediate intervention. Outside our regular business hours, contact the EMPACT Crisis Hotline, 602-222-9444, for assistance with mental health emergencies.
If a student in distress becomes violent or threatening, call the GCC College Police immediately, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
College Police Phone number: 480-784-0911 Email: dl-gc-police@gccaz.edu
Additional Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, reach out to any of these 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines:
- 480-784-1500 or text 741741 - Suicide/Crisis Hotline (Maricopa County)
- 602-347-1100 - Warm-line: Free peer-support, providing emotional support 24/7/365
- 602-279-2900, 800-799-SAFE or 7233AZ - Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence
- 800-SUICIDE - HopeLine Suicide Hotline (National)
- 800-656-HOPE - RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline (National)
- 480-736-4949 - Sexual Assault Hotline (Maricopa County)
- 800-662-HELP - Substance Use and Disorder Hotline (National)
- 800-273-8255 & press 1 - Veterans Crisis Hotline (National)
Arizona 2-1-1 Community Information & Referral Services: Dial 211 within Arizona or 877-211-8661 from anywhere in the United States to find help as soon as possible. Arizona 24-Hour Help Hotline: 602-263-8856. If you are calling from area codes 520 & 928 dial 1-800-352-3792 (toll-free).
National Institutes of Mental Health: Find information on many different mental disorders, including diagnostic criteria and treatment options. Important: Only qualified licensed therapists or doctors should diagnose a mental disorder.