COEHS wellness services strengthen communities, prepare future professionals

From free mental health counseling and physical wellness assessments to family-centered community programs, the University of New Mexico College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS) supports the well-being of New Mexicans while preparing the next generation of wellness professionals.

Good health is about more than treating illness, it's about caring for the whole person. Physical activity, nutrition, mental well-being and strong family support all play an important role in helping individuals and communities thrive.

At the UNM COEHS, that philosophy extends beyond the classroom. Through a variety of public-facing programs and services, the College provides community members with opportunities to improve their physical and mental well-being while giving students valuable hands-on experience serving New Mexicans.

"Our mission has always been bigger than our campus. New Mexico deserves outstanding counselors, educators, nutrition professionals, exercise scientists and family advocates in every community. By preparing those professionals while serving people today, we're making an investment in the long-term well-being of our state.

- COEHS Dean Kristopher Goodrich

Whether someone is seeking free mental health counseling, looking to better understand their physical health through advanced wellness assessments, or learning about the role nutrition plays in lifelong health, COEHS is committed to making evidence-based resources more accessible to the communities it serves.

One of the College's most impactful community resources is the Manzanita Counseling Center, which provides free counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. As Albuquerque's only completely free mental health counseling clinic, Manzanita removes financial barriers to care while allowing graduate counseling students to develop clinical skills under the supervision of licensed professionals.

For those interested in better understanding their physical well-being, the UNM Exercise Physiology Laboratory offers specialized assessments that provide valuable insight into fitness, performance and overall health. Services include body composition analysis through hydrostatic weighing and Bod Pod testing, VO2 max assessments and other evaluations designed to help individuals better understand their physical wellness while providing students with valuable hands-on learning experiences.

COEHS also advances wellness through its nationally recognized Nutrition and Dietetics programs, where students prepare to become registered dietitian nutritionists and other nutrition professionals. Guided by expert faculty, they explore how nutrition supports lifelong health, disease prevention and healthy communities, helping prepare a workforce equipped to improve the well-being of New Mexicans for generations to come.

"Wellness begins with people feeling seen, supported and connected," said Dean Kristopher M. Goodrich. "Whether someone comes to us for counseling, a wellness assessment or family support, we're meeting immediate needs while preparing students to become compassionate professionals who will serve communities throughout New Mexico."

By opening its doors to the public and extending its reach into communities across the state, COEHS demonstrates how a university can serve as both an educational institution and a trusted community partner.

Beyond campus, the College's Family Development Program works alongside children, families, educators and community organizations throughout New Mexico to strengthen early childhood development, support family well-being and expand educational opportunities in communities where they are needed most.

Through education, outreach, technical assistance and collaborative partnerships, the program helps strengthen families and improve outcomes for children across the state. Together, these services and the College's broader network of programs and community partnerships reflect a comprehensive approach to wellness that reaches beyond campus and across New Mexico. Some services are delivered right here at UNM, while others extend into neighborhoods, schools and communities throughout the state.

Each reflects the College's commitment to improving lives through education, partnership and service. Every counseling session, wellness assessment and community partnership also serves another purpose: preparing tomorrow's workforce.

Students learn alongside experienced faculty and practitioners, gaining the knowledge, skills and real-world experience needed to become counselors, exercise scientists, registered dietitian nutritionists, family and community educators, and other professionals who will strengthen the health and well-being of New Mexico's communities.

"Our mission has always been bigger than our campus," Goodrich said. "New Mexico deserves outstanding counselors, educators, nutrition professionals, exercise scientists and family advocates in every community. By preparing those professionals while serving people today, we're making an investment in the long-term well-being of our state. The work happening across COEHS reflects the best of New Mexico. We care for one another, we strengthen our communities and we prepare the next generation to do the same. That's a responsibility we're proud to carry forward."