SAN MARCOS, Calif. (May 2, 2024) — TrueCare’s Peer2Peer Program partnered with the Student Wellness Advocacy Group (SWAG) of Palomar College Behavioral Health and Wellness Services and IMALIVE to offer the community an educational, interactive, and fun event to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. The event took place May 1, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, in the Student Union Quad at the Palomar College main campus in San Marcos.

To kick off Mental Health Awareness Month and highlight the collaboration between Palomar College and TrueCare in improving the health and well-being of our community, over 1,500 Palomar students and the public attended the free IMALIVE event. TrueCare’s Peer2Peer Program ambassadors, comprised of Palomar students, presented information from the Never A Bother campaign by the California Department of Public Health.

Additionally, the California Status University San Marcos (CSUSM) Mobile Wellness team participated alongside TrueCare, Palomar College Behavioral Health and Wellness Services, and many other campus partners participating in the event.

Attendees enjoyed free food, games, giveaways, educational information on mental health, and participated in the development of two murals that will memorialize the event and commitment to support the mental health of the community.

Palomar Superintendent/President Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey joined TrueCare President and CEO Michelle D. Gonzalez and San Marcos City Councilmember Ed Musgrove to provide opening remarks:

• Michelle D. Gonzalez, President & CEO, TrueCare – “We are so proud of our partnership with Palomar. Tragically, suicide is the second leading cause of death in young adults and it’s something we must continue to work together to combat. Our Peer2Peer program speaks to the tremendous need apparent throughout our communities. With our Peer2Peer ambassadors leading the cause, together, we are leading the way to improving the health and well-being of our communities.”
  
• Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, Superintendent/President of Palomar Community College District – “I’m grateful to our partners and behavioral health team for recognizing the need for this type of event, especially given this post-pandemic era that we live in. We recognize mental health is as important as physical health. I’m proud of the work we’re doing around mental wellness and proud to kick off a month of mental health awareness here at Palomar.”
  
• Ed Musgrove, San Marcos City Councilmember – “I’m thrilled to see people encouraging each other to ask for help. Even greater than that is the responsibility and burden to recognize that our friends need help and sometimes all it takes it a little intervention to see change. This partnership is fantastic and I’m excited to see these ambassadors sharing the message.”

According to the CDC, in 2021, more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. With mental health concerns increasing amongst college students and with suicide as a leading cause of death on college campuses, the ability as a community to identify students who need support is critical (National Library of Medicine). Additionally, one out of five Americans experience a mental health crisis at some point in their lives.

Palomar and TrueCare are dedicated to bringing awareness about mental health to young adults in our communities. By removing the stigma and barriers that may hinder access to care, the door to hope and healing can be opened.

About TrueCare

For over 50 years, TrueCare has remained steadfast in its commitment to patients, their families, and its communities. As a nonprofit community health center, TrueCare is dedicated to delivering a superior and compassionate healthcare experience to nearly 65,000 patients every year, reducing barriers and increasing accessibility to quality care. TrueCare serves its communities in San Diego and Riverside Counties through its 22 health centers and WIC offices, providing primary care, pediatric, women’s health, behavioral health, dental, chiropractic, acupuncture, podiatry, and cardiology services to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. In addition, TrueCare offers many other programs such as mobile services, transportation to clinic appointments, insurance enrollment assistance, weekly food distributions, and nutrition guidance. www.truecare.org

About Palomar College

Palomar College is a public two-year community college in the northern portion of San Diego County that provides education and training to 27,000 students annually.  Palomar College has its main campus in San Marcos and three strategically located education centers in Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, and Fallbrook.  It operates an education site at Camp Pendleton and is one of the largest military serving institutions in California.  At Palomar, students may choose from more than 200 associate degree and certificate programs, complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, train for a career, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning.  www.palomar.edu

About IMALIVE

IMALIVE Mental Health Fair is the program of the visionaries behind the nation’s first suicide prevention network, 1-800-SUICIDE, and the world’s first virtual crisis center. These innovators have organized supercharged events across North America since 2010, reaching over 250 campuses. Many leading Directors of Student Life and Counseling Services endorse IMALIVE because of the consistently positive outcomes, which educate young adults on recognizing warning signs, spark conversations about mental health and suicide prevention, and raise awareness. www.imalive.org.