Notice: The south entrance of the GCC Main campus at Olive and 61st Avenues will be closed from November 11 to November 22. View the Main Campus Map for other entrances.

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:

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.