Part of student success depends on good health and well being. Here are a few avenues for finding resources to help along the way.
Health Insurance
Most people are required by law to have health insurance, and the GTU encourages all students to maintain coverage. Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, and many students will qualify for a subsidy for the plan that works best for them. Students can also apply directly for individual coverage with insurance companies such as Kaiser or Blue Shield.
GTU students can also gain the assistance of a couple of licensed brokers, who are available to provide guidance based on your situation. There is no fee for such assistance and consultation.
1) Christiane Broner, associated with Christiane Broner Insurance Services. She can be reached at: christianebroner@gmail.com, or 510-703-7116.
2) Jonathan Greer, associated with Rockridge Health Benefits. He can be reached at: jg@rockridgehealth.com, or 510-547-7123.
International students can also investigate options at these sites
https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/student-health-insurance/
https://www.gallagherstudent.com/students/student-home.php?idField=1187
For more information, please contact the Manager of Student Affairs. Students affiliated with a member school for their academic program may need to check with the student affairs office of the member school for further details.
UCB Optometry Clinic
The University of California Berkeley's Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science and its Meredith W. Morgan University and Tang Eye Centers provide comprehensive eye care to members of the Berkeley campus and the local community.
The center is a premiere optometric teaching institution. From routine eye exams and complete contact lens care, to pediatric optometry and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular health problems, the Meredith W. Morgan Univeristy Eye Center offers the care of the best medical teams with unsurpassed academic and research expertise.
The Eyewear Center offers a full-range of services from adjustments and repairs to custom lenses and tints. With over 3,000 different frames to choose from, the Eyewear Center can meet your needs.
Dental Resources
LifeLong offers a sliding scale for low income patients based on family size and income. They are a nonprofit aiming to make care accessible.
1860 Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703
Phone: (510) 280-6080
For emergencies, one local option is Campus Dental Care,
2136 University Avenue
Berkeley, California 94704
(510) 548-3368
Mental Health & Crisis Support Resources
Click Here for Free, Immediate Access to Teletherapy and Mental Health Crisis Support for All GTU students
The GTU has signed up with Uwill, the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. Uwill provides free, immediate access to teletherapy and mental health crisis support. Students can access Uwill by registering at app.uwill.com using their GTU email address.
How does it work?
With Uwill, you have the ability to choose a therapist based on your unique needs and preferences (focus area, gender, language, ethnicity), at a time that fits your schedule (day, night, weekend availability), and by the appointment type preferred (video, phone, chat, message). For students facing a mental health emergency, Uwill offers a crisis connection phone number 833.646.1526.
Who is eligible?
All GTU students have access to Uwill.
Is it free?
Yes, Uwill is available free of charge.
How do I get started?
You can access the Uwill platform by clicking here and completing your profile using your school email address and current location. After completing your profile, you can immediately schedule an appointment with a therapist of your choosing. Many students have their first session within hours of profile completion.
If you are facing a mental health emergency, call 833.646.1526 to reach one of Uwill’s licensed therapists trained in crisis response. For medical emergencies, please call 911.
What can a Uwill therapist help me with?
Uwill therapists have a range of specialties and have extensive experience working with students. Many students utilize Uwill to help with mood changes, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, poor body image, academic challenges, and loneliness, among many other things.
In addition, if you are facing a mental health emergency, you can reach one of Uwill’s licensed therapists trained in crisis response by calling 833.646.1526. For medical emergencies, please call 911.
Who are the counselors available on the platform?
The counselors in the Uwill network are all licensed mental health professionals with extensive clinical experience.
Which treatment approaches do the counselors utilize?
Counselors available on the Uwill platform take a solutions-oriented, holistic approach to treatment. Our therapists aim to work collaboratively with you to help you accomplish your goals through teaching tangible skills. This means that counselors focus on providing specific tools, coping skills, and resources to address the issues you are facing.
Can I choose between video, phone, chat and message-based support?
Yes, you work with your counselor and select the format that best suits you. The first session must be video or phone and then you can choose the modality based on your schedule and needs.
Uwill’s crisis connection is available only by phone at 833.646.1526. For medical emergencies, please call 911.
Is it really private and secure?
Yes, Uwill is HIPAA and FERPA compliant which means we follow the strictest privacy guidelines. We never share your data – even on anonymized basis – to any third party – without consent.
What browser is best to access Uwill?
For best performance, we recommend you use Chrome browser to access Uwill here.
If I am having an emergency, what should I do?
If you are having a mental health emergency, you can call Uwill’s crisis connection at 833.646.1526. If you are having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or visit your local emergency room.
Other emergency resources:
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" TO 741-741
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States.
City of Berkeley, Mental Health Division
The City of Berkeley offers free subscription to two popular mental health apps, Mystrength and Headspace. You may download the apps by going to the city's mental health webpage here.
The counseling centers below (which are not endorsed by the GTU) are also sources of mental health support. Since cost is an issue to most students, note that a number of the centers listed here provide affordable sliding scale fees. Please contact the center for more information.
City of Berkeley, Mental Health Division
In addition to the free apps, the City of Berkeley also provides a range of community-based mental health services to Berkeley and Albany residents. They work with people in clinics, in schools, in homes, on the street or in shelters, and in a variety of other settings, to help:
- people in crisis;
- children, teens, and families experiencing emotional difficulties;
- people with serious mental illnesses and disabilities; and
- others who are in need of mental health or related social services.
Staff come from many different cultural backgrounds, offer services in different languages, and strive to address the diverse needs of the local community. The staff includes licensed mental health professionals, case managers, psychiatrists, nurses, and peer counselors.
First session is for free. Interns provide sliding scale fees. Individual, couples, child, teen, and group therapy available. 1221 Marin Ave, Berkeley, CA. 510-527-2100.
Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center
Offered by California Institute of Integral Studies, offers services on a sliding scale. Located in San Francisco, near Civic Center BART station. 415-561-0230.
The Interfaith Counseling Center offers a variety of services to promote healing, growth and wholeness of individuals, couples and families. Members of our staff are Certified Pastoral Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychologists and Spiritual Directors. People of any or no religious persuasion are welcome. 415-256-9701
Oakland Center for Holistic Counseling
Sliding scale fees available. 2501 Harrison St, Oakland, CA. 510-444-3344x2501
The Psychology Clinic at UC Berkeley
Offers a variety of services on a sliding-fee scale. 2205 Tolman Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA. 510-642-2055.
Jewish Family and Community Services, East Bay
Main Office
2484 Shattuck Avenue, Ste. 210
Berkeley, CA 94704
Main: (510) 704-7475
JFCS East Bay promotes the well-being of individuals and families by providing essential mental health and social services through every stage of life.
Drop in peer counseling offered. 510-548-2570.
Individual, couples, and family therapy. Sliding scale available. 1749 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA. 510-841-8484
Individual and couples therapy. 2232 Carleton St, Berkeley, CA. 510-548-2250
Individual, Teens, Couples, Families. Sliding scale available. 3101 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA. 510-649-9818
Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy. Sliding scale available. Call for info.
Addison Street 510-548-9716
AND Parker Street, Berkeley, CA. 510-486-8998