Who are the Mental Health Ambassadors?
Riverside City College’s Mental Health Ambassadors are a group of RCC students acting as peer educators
seeking to promote awareness of mental health issues through student interactions and presentations on
the importance of maintaining mental health.
The goal of the MHA is to:
 Assist in raising student’s awareness about the importance of mental health.
 Educate fellow students on how to talk to peers about mental health and how to make meaningful
connections that will aid in crisis and suicide intervention.
 Reduce the stigma associated with talking about mental health and mental illness.
 Foster a supportive and informative campus culture for issues related to mental health.
 Promote on-campus and off-campus Counseling Services.
We aim to improve the psychological wellbeing of RCC’s broader campus by talking openly and
comfortably about mental health issues.
You will see MHA Student around campus:
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Promoting mental health and educating fellow students on how to maintain mental health
Providing information about relevant mental health topics such handling stress, coping skills, etc
Holding events to promote mental health awareness and participating in the mental health fair
Giving classroom presentations on mental health statistics
Answering questions about on and off campus counseling resources
Reminding department heads, faculty and staff about the importance of addressing the mental
health needs of students and encouraging students to use counseling services, as needed.
Benefits of being an MH Ambassador:
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Meeting new people and making new friends;
Boost your personal and professional skills and enhance your resume;
Networking with like-minded students and professionals from various fields;
Build your leadership, communication, presentation and public relations skills;
College clothing and merchandise as is available and appropriate to the role;
A Certificate of Recognition and Leadership Training from Student Health & Psychological
Services(SHPS);
A letter of reference will also be available upon request recognizing your volunteer contributions;
$1000 stipend per Semester. First half awarded halfway through the semester. Second half at the
end of the semester.
MH Ambassador Duties and Responsibilities:
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Complete Kognito At Risk and QPR training provided by SHPS.
Learn HIPPA guidelines and demonstrate sensitivity to confidential information shared by
students.
Attend bi-monthly meetings with Director and Ambassador Team.
Maintain professional uniformed attire when acting in the ambassador capacity. Attire will be
polo, sweater, or t-shirt provided by the SHPS and black or khaki pants ambassadors must
purchase.
Represent Riverside City College with professionalism at all times.
Document number of students/peer contacts encountered or presented to (documentation sheet
will be provided).
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Be familiar with campus resources (especially Student Health & Psychological Services)
Under the direction of the Grant Director, Peer to Peer or assigned supervisor, each MHA will be
required to give 5-15 hours/a week (but not more than 20 hours a month) by participating in
various events, activities or duties which MAY include:
Attend mental health events on campus (as assigned) and assist as needed in the planning
and/or implementation of those events; Design flyers; Staff outreach tables on mental
health while interacting with students and handing out flyers related to mental health
topics on campus; Develop and/or present workshops for clubs and classrooms on mental
health awareness; may take pictures of events; Assist with mental health website idea
development; maintain and monitor mental health FaceBook and Twitter accounts; Assist
director with developing promotional materials for mental health awareness campaign,
training for students and related contests (i.e. YouTube video contest); Assist Director with
developing evaluation materials (i.e. surveys); entering survey results into computer
system; Other duties as assigned.
Interested? Please APPLY.
Ambassadors apply, interview, and are chosen in the Fall and Spring before each academic year. The
application process for Fall 2012 is now open through October 29, 2012. If you have any questions
or are interested in applying, please email angela.boland@rcc.edu. Before applying, please assure you
meet the minimum qualifications:
Qualifications to be a MHA:
 Must be a currently enrolled student at Riverside City College or a first-time student who intends
to enroll in classes during the fall and spring semesters and maintain enrollment.
 Have at least 2 semesters to contribute to the program.
 Must be at least 18 years of age.
 Must maintain a 2.0 grade point average or higher and be enrolled in a minimum of six units per
semester.
 Must be interested in mental health topics and promoting positive mental health
 Must be available to work a minimum of 5 hours a week, and occasionally between 5-15 hours a
week for specific events and occasions. Might be asked to work occasional evening(s) and
weekend(s). Consideration will be given to student class schedules.
 Provide two letters of recommendation: (1) one recommendation from a Riverside City College
official (i.e. faculty or staff, Dean, etc), (1) one recommendation can come from a mentor,
community official, former instructors, etc. who can attest to the applicant’s professionalism,
character, communication skills and scholastic ability. Forms available if you’d like. Complete or
print the form HERE.
 Must be willing to provide assistance and be able to effectively relate with people of diverse
cultural, social, and educational backgrounds.
 Practice and uphold professionalism including responsibility, dependability, punctuality, time
management and organizational skills;
 Strong communication skills (oral and written);
 Willingness to learn in a variety of environments;
 General awareness of health and safety around campus (will be trained); and,
 Respectful of external partner environments (high schools, event venues, etc.).
Special Notes: Only 10 MHA positions are available. Student ambassadors are not student employees or
student workers. They receive a talent grant award and do not complete a student work schedule form.
Click HERE for Application form or contact angela.boland@rcc.edu for any questions.
Positions funded by the voter approval Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63).
“Compassion. Action. Change.” express the organization’s belief that our programs and services embrace and
nurture mental wellness in all Californians, that our processes are collaborative and community-oriented,
and that we are accountable for results.
The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) is an organization of county governments
working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Prevention and Early
Intervention programs implemented by CalMHSA are funded through the voter-approved Mental Health
Services Act (Prop 63). Prop 63 provides the funding and framework needed to expand mental health
services to previously underserved populations and all of California’s diverse communities.