October is recognized as Mental Health Screening Month, an especially important observance as more college-aged students report that they struggle with mental health. To illustrate this fact, a 2024 U.S. News report found that 70% of students said they had struggled with mental health since starting college, yet just 37% of respondents searched for mental health resources at their university.
Lancaster Bible College is committed to the health and wellness of its students, with many resources available.
C3: Counseling & Care Center
LBC’s Counseling & Care Center, also known as C3, provides comprehensive, biblically based professional counseling services to on-campus undergraduate students. The C3 mission is to help break down the barriers of success and equip each student to grow and develop into the man or woman God created them to be, while also seeking to encourage students to grow in every area of their lives—physically, emotionally and spiritually—through a careful balance of support, encouragement and challenge.
C3 counselors are professionals with graduate degrees in counseling, psychology or social work. Each staff member is committed to applying Christian principles as a foundation for their work with students, recognizing that there is no healing apart from the work of God. The Center also uses trained graduate interns who are closely supervised by a licensed staff counselor. Counseling is a free and confidential service provided to LBC’s on-campus undergraduate students.
Kimberly Blest, MA, LPC, is Director of the Counseling & Care Center, and has been with C3 since the Center’s inception.
“The Counseling & Care Center at Lancaster Bible College is in its 12th year of offering free counseling services to our undergraduate population,” Blest said. “I’m thankful for the commitment LBC shows to our students’ mental health by offering therapy from a biblical framework. The college years are an important time for growing in one’s understanding of themselves through their relationship with God and others, and I encourage students to take advantage of this free and confidential opportunity.”
Blest, her fellow counselors and the entire LBC Student Life team are also committed to making sure students know about the nationwide Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, accessible by dialing 988, anytime from anywhere.
Peer Wellness
Going hand-in-hand with health and wellness initiatives is the Peer Wellness student organization, which focuses on a holistic approach to health that integrates mental, emotional and physical well-being. The group encourages fellow students to discover how connecting with others can enhance the college experience and support overall wellness.
Student Peer Wellness Mentors exists to encourage LBC students in their holistic health. Through events and educational opportunities, Peer Wellness Mentors consider students’ spiritual, academic, emotional, social/cultural, financial and physical wellness. Peer Wellness Mentors are committed to students who are struggling in these areas and offer them support.
“Our staff at LBC is committed to helping students flourish in college and life, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Tyler Webb, Director of Student Care. “We all have hard days and things we struggle with. Staff members at LBC are committed to walking alongside our students and caring for them. They should never be afraid to ask anyone for help—it is why we are here!”
During a previous event at LBC focusing on mental health and wellness, students add their names to a pledge to be one of the Nine Out of Ten to help the one in 10 college students who contemplate suicide.
One Peer Wellness initiative in 2023 was the launch of two student “ReCharger Relaxation Rooms.” Peer Wellness Mentors worked to make these rooms a reality for use by all students. Both housed in the Student Center, the first room has a massage chair and a tablet for access to prayer meditation. The second is a “sensory room” with a light projector and aroma therapy.
Other Peer Wellness projects throughout the year include Finals Week relaxation events, such as art activities and visits from local therapy dog organizations, as well as the ReCharge Wellness Week each winter.
Charger Care for Student-Athletes
Additionally, Charger Care is a program new for 2024-25 funded by an NCAA grant to provide development and oversight to greater care for student-athletes’ mental health and well-being. Efforts include routine check-ins, awareness, education and programming.
“What a joy it is to witness LBC’s intentional efforts to increase mental health awareness and support for our student-athletes,” said Gracie Sareyka, head of the Charger Care program and LBC Game Day Management Operations for Charger athletes. “LBC is not only fostering a culture where mental well-being is prioritized but also implementing valuable resources like Charger Care. These initiatives empower student-athletes to feel supported both in their sport and in life. Student-athletes knowing they have an extra support system available can help eliminate walking through difficult times alone.”
Studying Counseling & Social Work at LBC
LBC’s many relevant and impactful counseling and social work programs are designed to encourage students to understand, evaluate and practice counseling theory and methods from a biblical perspective.
Graduates are equipped to provide clinical care in various settings depending on their major. These include secular and Christian practices, crisis counseling centers, public and private schools, foster care and wraparound agencies, hotline services, rescue missions, psychiatric care units, para-church organizations, prisons and detention centers and much more.
Below are the options for study within LBC’s Counseling & Social Work Department:
Bachelor’s
Psychology
On campus / 16-week semesters
This major delivers a biblically centered education that equips students to develop competency in the field, integrate their faith into their profession, nurture Christian virtue and develop a biblical worldview to serve Christ in the Church and society. LBC students have interned or worked in private practice, at church counseling centers and homeless shelters or with agencies like Hope Within Ministries and the Salvation Army.
Psychology
Online / 8-week courses
An undergraduate degree in psychology enables students to develop the analytical skills and human behavior basics to thrive in any career working with people. Throughout the program, students will grow into knowledgeable professionals with communication, research and interpersonal skills many employers seek.
Social Work (BSW)
On campus / 16-week semesters
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), LBC’s social work program is designed to equip students for a future of serving individuals, families and communities by demonstrating the servant heart of Christ. A wide range of courses taught by professional and licensed social workers allows students grow and develop their unique God-given gifts, preparing them to effectively serve those in need. Graduates leave LBC ready to serve in the social work profession and equipped to continue their education at the graduate level if desired.
Human Services
Hybrid / 8-week courses / Philadelphia only
This program is designed to equip Christian students to go into diverse communities of need as servant-helpers, ministering to the disenfranchised in areas like entry-level social service, community outreach programs, nonprofits and more.
Master’s
Also available as 4+1 programs, which enable students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years total; offered on campus in Lancaster
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
In LBC’s licensure-track program, students learn about the multifactorial causes of and research-based treatments for various mental health struggles while being guided by a curriculum that’s centered on biblical truth using the Integrated Psychotherapy Model. Combining current industry-proven strategies with biblical principles, this experientially diverse program allows students to move successfully from the classroom to the field. Students can also choose to add a specialization of Addiction Counseling or Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling. / Pennsylvania or Maryland certification; hybrid courses in Lancaster and Washington, D.C.
Professional School Counseling
This relevant program provides individuals with theological distinctiveness, contemporary scholarship and professional counseling skills to serve competently within both the public and private school context.
Social Work (MSW)
Whether through direct practice or in administration, social workers serve a vital role in the global community. This fully online Master of Social Work program equips graduate social work students through advanced practice within the purpose and values of the social work profession and the context of a biblical worldview. Through experiential learning in the field and cohort learning, you will enrich the social work field. Students may also specialize in Clinical Social Work or Advanced Child & Family Practice. Accredited by CSWE.