Wingspan, Spring 2025
According to a 2024 report from the Maryland Health Care Commission, Maryland will need more than 32,000 behavioral health professionals by 2028. You may picture a behavioral health professional as a psychologist seeing patients in an office, but a meaningful career that supports mental health doesn’t have to require a doctorate or years of additional (and expensive) education. Students at AACC are finding ways to support mental health across disciplines, sometimes in fields that may surprise you.
Personal counseling services at AACC are vital in addressing students’ mental health needs. Over the last decade, demand for counseling services has soared, with a 98% increase in appointments. Diane Hallila, the department’s coordinator, says counseling gives students a sense of identity and support, guiding them toward successful outcomes.
“Counseling can guide students toward improving relationships, enhancing life’s opportunities and developing a positive outlook toward themselves and their future,” Hallila said.
To keep up with this growing demand, AACC’s counselors receive ongoing education and work with campus departments and community organizations to provide personalized, long-term care for each student. Counselors offer one-on-one sessions, both in person and online, to help students deal with common challenges like stress, loneliness, depression, anxiety and grief.
Additionally, the counseling team hosts regular workshops for students, faculty and staff on topics like stress management, test anxiety, mindfulness and healthy relationships. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about mental health in the community.
This is one section of a larger feature story about how students at AACC are finding ways to support mental health. Read the full story.
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