For Jaskanwar Batra, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science, the challenge of informing students about mental health services is personal: His son experienced panic attacks so severe he thought he was having heart attacks as a freshman in college. 

The student health center at his son’s college was helpful, but unable to directly provide many resources, unlike the health clinics at USC, Batra said. 

“For ongoing care, he had to go find resources,” Batra said. “He and I called and called and called like 20 people, none of whom had availability to see him. So, what is [Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services]? We are that clinic that my son couldn’t get access to,” Batra said.

Broderick Leaks, a panelist and the director of counseling and mental health at Student Health, said USC has one of the largest counseling services in the country. Leaks said that USC offered three types of therapy for students: single sessions, traditional therapy and group therapy. 

“Sometimes our students are a little worried or shy or anxious about joining groups, but once they’re in there, it’s like, ‘Oh, wow, this is really powerful. I have a lot of peers who might be going through similar concerns or issues,’” Leaks said. “There’s a real sense of camaraderie and helping each other.”

Minnie Ho, strategic advisor and director of communications for Student Health, organized the event. Ho said she intended for the panel to introduce resources and classes to students who may not know they were available. 

The event on Friday was the first panel in what will become a yearly event, and was recorded so students who could not attend in person could learn about USC’s resources, she said. 

“We wanted to have an interactive panel between all of the different disciplines, resources and centers that really provide support for students to be able to navigate mental health and to support their overall well-being,” Ho said.

Resources mentioned at the event included religious groups, Nack — an independent intensive outpatient program, the physical education classes at USC and the minor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences. 

For a more casual setting, Chelsea Murillo, a first-year Ph.D. student in occupational therapy, recommended the Kortschak institution. Located in room 311 of the Wilson Student Union, the organization provides a quiet place for students to relax, study pods for Zoom calls, and classes on work-life balance. 

Owen Brown, a junior majoring in psychology, said he was impressed by how many people came to the panel and was surprised to learn how many mental health resources USC had. 

During the Q&A section of the panel, one student asked the panelists what the biggest misconception about mental health at USC was. Leaks said that many students believe there is a limit on the free therapy sessions offered by USC: while the therapy offered is considered short term, there is no official session limit. 

“Most of the students average between five to six sessions. But some students come once, some students might come 10 times. Back in the day, we had [a session limit], but it feels like that number is still floating around,” Leaks said.

Darena Nguyen and Andrew Cardenas, both members of the Student Health Advisory Committee as representatives for the Undergraduate Student Government, attended the event. Nguyen said she attended to learn about ways to advocate for students’ well-being. 

“A lot of students often neglect their mental health, especially when it comes to achieving academic success. What I really want to get out of this event is what exact resources could students potentially utilize, not only to better themselves academically, but also mentally,” Nguyen said before the panel. 

Andrew Cardenas accompanied Nguyen to learn more about mental health institutions on campus. He said the importance of wellness and its many faces led him to join the Student Health Advisory Committee. 

“I’m a big advocate for wellness, and I think [the event] encapsulated different facets of it. There’s spiritual wellness, physical wellness, mental wellness, physical,” Cardenas said. “I love how the Student Health people just understand that wellness is really connected.”

Disclaimer: Andrew Cardenas formerly served as sports assistant editor at the Daily Trojan in spring 2025. Cardenas is no longer affiliated with this paper.