Mental illness takes its toll Depression said to affect 30 percent of college students

Suicide is currently the third most common cause of death among persons aged 15-24, and the second most common among persons aged 25-34, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention.

“Most young adults have their psychotic breaks in their early twenties, so look at how many people are at risk,” said Health Center Director Beth Benne. “We know stress is the number one impediment to student success.”

Mental illness is prevalent in the US, and collegeaged students have an especially high rate of suicide, but Pierce College has several programs meant to help those who are at risk.

At Pierce, students pay an $11 health fee, which grants access to the Health Center’s support and resources for those with mental health disorders. Included in that is the option to meet with the school’s psychologist one-to-six times a semester for a 45-minute session.

Cafeteria empty; students hungry for food options

around, the number of students on campus is much smaller,” Varozian said.

In addition, the Freudian Sip maintains shorter hours of operation on Fridays. It is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, but on Fridays those hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Minerva Castellon, owner of the Hot Coffee Catering food truck, said her truck remains on campus on Fridays despite the lack of students.

Pierce student Jordan Kane said he suffers from both depression and anxiety.

“You’re embarrassed to talk about it. You don’t want to seem weak or attentionseeking, or annoy anybody,” said Kane, a second-year student whose major is

Hoffman totalled 71,000 votes against Vega’s 69,260, according to the LA City Clerk.

The results were final as of March 20.

What do you think about Hoffman’s slim victory? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter with #piercenews

Free HIV testing through March 26

undecided. “Depression is like being in a black hole, but no one can see it. You don’t really feel anything.”

Kara Schachter, a post-doctoral intern and mental health therapist at Pierce, said the Health Center treats students with all kinds of mental illnesses and would like to see a change in the perception that a disorder makes a person weak.

“The most common issues we see in students are anxiety, depression, relationship problems and students not

The HIV/AIDS Awareness Week will continue its free, confidential HIV tests through Thursday, March 26. No appointment is needed to be tested. Testing will be available on Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursday, March 26, 2 to 7 p.m. in Parking Lot 1.

Tell us what you think about the HIV/AIDS Awareness Week and its free, on-campus HIV testing on Facebook and Twitter with #pierceawareness

30-plus employers confirmed for job fair

The Career and Transfer Center will have a job fair with more than 30 employers on Thursday, April 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Mall. Permanent and temporary positions and internships will be available, according to the CTC. A list of registered employers is available with the QR code below.

After the closure last semester of Lovebird’s Café, on-campus food options at Pierce College are limited to three food trucks and the Freudian Sip.

The choice in fare is slimmest on Fridays, when the only choices are the Hot Coffee food truck and the Freudian Sip. According to Freudian Sip supervisor Shant Varozian, the inventory is largely sold out by the end of the week.

“We get our food early on in the week around Tuesday or Wednesday. By the time Friday rolls

“We don’t get much business. It’s mostly for the service,” Castellon said.

Like the Freudian Sip, the Hot Coffee Catering food truck has decreased menu options on slower days.

“We don’t have all the food we usually have on Fridays. We do not serve breakfast. We mostly sell fries and hamburgers,” Castellon said.

At a Pierce College Council meeting last month, Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher announced a plan to possibly move the Freudian Sip into the unused cafeteria. The total vacancy of the cafeteria has prompted offers from other vendors looking to fill in the empty space.

Ofir Bass, owner of the

Falafelicious Catering food truck on campus, has wanted to move into the cafeteria for several months now. “I would love to move in there. I think it would be a great opportunity for me and as well as for the students to have something else,” Bass said. “Right now, there are not many food options on campus.”

[See FOOD, pg. 3]

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