C
arlita Williams has spent two decades trying to help those who are suffering ─ people in need.
She’s worked at a women’s shelter for domestic violence survivors, as a family assessment worker visiting homes to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect, and as a behavioral health counselor and service coordinator for families in need.
Now, she’s bringing that compassion, concern and expertise to Pensacola State College where she is a new Mental Health Services Specialist ─ a position where she provides mental health counseling to students.
“I just want to help people,’’ Williams said. “I want to help people, help our students, get the confidence in themselves they need to accomplish their education and life goals. They need to know they have support at PSC.”
Williams began her new position at PSC in December 2021. But she’s very familiar with the College. After all, she’s an alumna, earning her Associate of Arts degree from PSC in 2018. In 2020, she earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of West Florida and a Master of Social Work degree in 2021.
Before coming to PSC, Williams was a Behavioral Health Coordinator for the Lakeview Center in Pensacola.
“We are so excited to have Carlita on our Wellness Services Team as she brings a wealth of experience in the community health and social work fields to her position as our mental health counselor,’’ said her supervisor, Lynsey Listau, Executive Director of Institutional Equity and Student Conduct. “Carlita is already making great connections with the students she is providing counseling sessions to and is looking forward to working with more of our PSC students from all over our campuses.”
Currently, Williams sees about 10 students regularly, but she said she expects her caseload to “possibly double.”
“There’s a lot of anxiety out there,’’ Williams said. “Students have anxiety about passing classes. They have other anxiety in their lives. There is depression and a lot of our students are grieving right now. There are students who have lost loved ones who are suffering.”
She said there are plans to start a grief support group and an anxiety support group in the fall.
A Minnesota native, Williams and her husband, Aaron Williams, moved to Pensacola in 2011 for the weather and to be closer to his family in Mississippi.
The couple has four adult children.
—Troy Moon