Part of student success depends on good health and well being. Here are a few avenues for finding resources to help along the way.
Fitness Options
In addition to many hiking and cycling trails throughout the bay area, GTU students have access to discounts at a few local gyms.
YMCA, Downtown Berkeley
2001 Allston Way, Berkeley 510-848-9622
GTU students are offered a discount membership rate of $35.20 per month with no enrollment fee and no contract. Bring your student ID card to sign up, renewable as long as the student remains enrolled at GTU.
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 Director of Student Life, Chaitanya Motupalli. 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 School of Optometry (UCBSO) and its Meredith W. Morgan Eye Center 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 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 Resources
The GTU has signed up with Virtual Care, an online health provider that offers 24/7 access to medical and mental health needs for our community. Virtual Care provides unlimited doctor visits, 50-minute behavioral visits, life coaching, and on-demand crisis counseling through video conferencing or telephone. During our pilot year (2023-2024), we will assess the effectiveness of the services and fine-tune them as we continue our partnership with Virtual Care.
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