Wellness Center
Our Wellness Center offers students a mental health one-stop-shop where they have access to counseling, clinical therapy, community resource referrals and more. Our professionals provide a wide variety of services and programs to address overcoming life’s obstacles. All students are encouraged to utilize the Wellness Center.
How to Use the Wellness Center
Need some additional help and want to talk to someone? Make appointments to see our MH staff, including our Clinical School Therapist.
- Wellness Center location: Room 90
- Stop by to schedule an appointment
- Walk in to use a self-service station
- Speak to your Academic Counselor to request services
Wellness Resources
For Students
For Parents
Virtual Calming Rooms
Our Goals
Wellness Center services will help students find support for physical, mental, emotional and social concerns.
Our mission is to:
- Provide easily accessible resources for students and their families
- Proactively teach our students how to overcome mental health challenges
- Listen and provide guidance
- Reassure students that it is all right to ask for help
Safe and Welcoming
Furnished with cozy bean bag chairs and couches and decorated with pleasing artwork, the Wellness Center provides a comfortable setting for students to stop in during their breaks. Here you have space to ask questions, receive support or take a moment to decompress.
Our Wellness Center is equipped with a conference table to hold group meetings and private offices for one-on-one meetings.
Personalized Mental Health Services
Strong partnerships with many local mental health service providers allow us to provide a robust on-campus program.
Extended Support
Students identified as in need of extended support will have access to scheduled appointments with a Licensed Clinical Therapist as well as other resources.
Specialized Academic Support
Students taking part in Section 504 Accommodation Plans or Individualized Education Plans may receive some supports in a Wellness Center.
Education Programs for Our Families
Through our partnership with Pacific Clinics, we will also provide parent education programs to provide mental health education and support for our families.
Frequently Asked Questions About DHS Mental Health Support
What help do we offer students who need Mental Health Support?
DUSD partners with three major agencies in the Downey community: Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JCFS), Pacific Clinics, and Community Family Guidance. Beyond these three agencies, there are many other resources we refer our students to and we are not limited to this list. There are also counseling groups that students can become a part of that are focused on certain topics. If you have any questions about these groups, please ask your counselor.
How many students have access to these agencies?
When counselors are deciding which agency to refer students to, it is largely determined by insurance status, family and student needs, capacity at each agency, etc. JFCS is the only agency that has a definite and limited number of spaces because they are contracted by the district for that specific number of spaces. The other agencies are community-based organizations that take several types of funding sources which means that their capacity is determined by their agency—we will find you an agency that is right for you!
Are these services confidential for students?
Do I have to have parental consent to receive services?
In order to receive outside agency mental health services, we will need parental consent—don’t hate us, it’s the law! We know that conversation sounds very scary—but we will walk you through it every step of the way. If you want to call someone directly, you can call the Care Solace Hotline: (888) 515-0595. Care Solace acts as your advocate to find you the help you need.
Additional Mental Health Resources
- Care Solace (888) 515-0595
- Trevor Lifeline LGBTQ (866) 488-7386
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-TALK (8255) or text “START” to 741741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- California Youth Crisis Line Open 24/7 (800) 843-5200
- Suicide Prevention Center (800) 727-4747
- Department of Mental Health (800) 854-7771
- Teen Line for teen to teen help: teenlineonline.org or text “TEEN” to 839863
- Care Solace 24/7 Support, (888) 515-0595
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Psychiatric Mobile Response Team (PMRT) ACCESS Line (800) 854-7771
