Student Health Services at El Camino College to Host Annual Substance Abuse and Mental Health Awareness Fair
El Camino College’s Student Health Services is proud to host its Annual Substance Abuse and Mental Health Awareness Fair on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Student Services Plaza at El Camino College. This free event is designed to promote holistic and preventative approaches to health and well-being, with a focus on supporting college students’ mental health and substance use awareness.
The fair will bring together multiple campus and local community organizations, providing educational resources, support services, and interactive wellness activities. All participants can visit community organizations to receive a free lunch (while supplies last!), with a priority focus on serving students first.
In addition to services provided by the Student Health Center, Student Health Services is excited to announce the opening of the new Center for Well-Being, operated in partnership with the Warrior Safety Network. This dedicated space is designed as a tranquil, electronics-free student center focused on self-care activities, reflection, and relaxation. The Center for Well-Being aims to give students a quiet space to decompress, recharge, and explore tools for maintaining mental well-being.
“Our goal is to connect students with tools and information that foster long-term mental wellness and healthy choices,” said Susan Nilles, Faculty Coordinator of Student Health Services. “This fair creates a safe and supportive space where students can access resources, ask questions, and build connections with professionals and peers who care about their well-being.”
Key Features of the Fair Include:
- Mental health screenings and counseling resources
- Information booths on substance use prevention and recovery
- Peer support and student wellness organizations
- Free food, prizes, and giveaways (while supplies last!)
Collegiate Mental Health and Substance Use: By the Numbers
- Recent data underscore the urgency and importance of this event:
- 73% of college students report experiencing moderate or severe psychological distress, according to the American College Health Association (ACHA), 2023 National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA, 2023).
- Nearly 1 in 3 college students met the criteria for a mental health disorder in the past year (Lipson et al., Journal of Affective Disorders, 2022).
- Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin) was reported by 7.9% of college students, primarily for academic performance enhancement (Schulenberg et al., Monitoring the Future, 2022).
- Only 30% of students who need mental health support actually seek it (Lipson et al., 2022).
This event reflects El Camino College’s commitment to empowering students to take charge of their health—mind, body, and spirit.
Please join Student Health Services build a healthier campus community! All students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Student Health Services at 310-660-3643 or [email protected], or visit www.elcamino.edu/StudentHealthServices.