In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Eric Baltrinic from the BGSU Counseling Center and Dr. Benjamin Forrester from Falcon Health Center to talk about the mental health support available to students and the greater Bowling Green community. They share what led them into the field, how each center serves different needs, and when students should seek care at one versus the other. We also dive into local mental health trends, signs someone may need support, and why collaboration is key. Plus, we bust a common myth about seeking help—because mental health care isn’t one-size-fits-all, and no one has to figure it out alone.
Selected Podcast
From Campus to Community: Navigating Mental Health Resources
Featured Speakers:
Eric Baltrinic, PhD, LPCC-S | Benjamin Forrester, DO
Dr. Eric Baltrinic is a licensed professional clinical counselor and supervisor with a deep commitment to supporting the mental health and development of young adults. He earned his doctorate in Counseling and Human Development Services from Kent State University and holds a master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Akron. He has been licensed in Ohio since 2005. Dr. Baltrinic currently serves at the BGSU Counseling Center, where he brings extensive clinical, supervisory, and administrative experience to his work with students. His professional background includes roles in multiple university counseling centers, counselor education programs, and applied research and consultation. With focused training in family systems, home-based intervention, and motivational interviewing, Dr. Baltrinic specializes in treating co-occurring disorders, adolescent and young adult mental health, and school- and community-based partnerships. He also brings a wealth of expertise in clinical supervision, adult learning, and program evaluation.
Dr. Forrester is a board-certified psychiatrist with deep roots in Northwest Ohio. Originally from Toledo, he spent his early years living across the country while his father served in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his medical degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Toledo Medical Center. He is a proud member of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Forrester provides psychiatric care to students at Falcon Health Center in Bowling Green, where he supports the mental health needs of the BGSU community. Over the course of his career, he has also served as a staff psychiatrist for the Veterans Administration, continues part-time work at Fulton County Health Center, and has worked with the State of Ohio and the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center in Toledo.