Student Mental Health & Wellness

The Student Mental Health & Wellness program provides health education and support services for JJC students. ****COVID-19 ALERT: With recent changes, we know this is a stressful time for our students. The Student Wellness Program has converted counseling appointments to tele-mental health services. This means our appointments with our students will be via video or via phone per student preference. Qualifications for counseling sessions will remain the same. All college credit seeking students are eligible for brief-individual counseling services and all students are eligible to meet with our Case Management Coordinator to connect with resources outside of JJC as deemed appropriate.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide professional mental health services and consultation services for our students that:

  • Incorporate a brief therapeutic model to address the emotional and behavioral needs of our students
  • Creates developmental programming to increase healthy lifestyle behaviors and coping skills to be a successful JJC student
  • Provide leadership and advocacy for the college’s mental health initiatives and procedures.

Mental Health and Wellness Services

Professional assistance with a wide variety of personal challenges that students may face during their college experience are available to current JJC students. Our clinically licensed mental health providers will assess and provide up to ten sessions of confidential individual counseling to assist students with problems or concerns that are negatively impacting their educational and social experience at Joliet Junior College.

Services include:
  • Confidential personal counseling on a variety of issues
  • Crisis intervention services
  • Workshops, presentations to groups, and group therapy sessions
  • Outreach activities and participation in student wellness events
  • Consultation and training for faculty and staff on working with students that may have personal or mental health challenges that are impacting their academic or social environments

  • For Parents and Families

    Joliet Junior College offers all registered students access to a range of mental health and wellness support care.

    There are no charges for these services or visits with our Student Support Advocates in the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities located on Main Campus A 1100.

    To learn more about all of our services or support encourage your student to call or stop by The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, A-1100 main campus, with any questions or concerns. Once students learn how easy and comfortable it is to access our services, students are empowered to take charge of their own health and well-being as young adults.

    As you may know, the years between 18 and 22 are transformative—and sometimes challenging. We’re here to help your students meet those challenges as they mature into full adulthood. Joliet Junior College provides support to students in addressing mental health and wellness issues and making changes to enhance personal growth, capacity for healthy relationships, and academic engagement. Our staff includes licensed mental health staff and a case manager, and outside contracted agencies. If your own student is hesitant about reaching out to us, let them know that we are here to support our students and care about their well-being.

    We provide all of these services to your student (just as any professional caregivers provide) with the promise of confidentiality. Indeed, except in cases of clear emergency, we’re legally prohibited from sharing any information about our confidential conversations with your student unless he or she gives us permission to do so. Within these guidelines, we’re delighted to partner with you in ensuring your student a healthy Joliet Junior College experience. You can call us with any time with questions about our general range of services for all students. You can even call to share concerns and questions about your own student—understanding that we can’t share specific personal information unless your student tells us we can.

  • Online Confidential Mental Health Screening

    We also offer free and anonymous online screening for eating disorders, alcohol misuse, anxiety disorders, and depression. This service is informational only and not a diagnostic tool. The screening is provided to help JJC students determine whether or not consulting with a mental health professional would be helpful.

  • Confidentiality

    All sessions, mental health, and therapy records are kept strictly confidential and are not part of the College’s student records.  Information is shared only with a student’s written permission.  Exceptions to confidentiality are rare and include when a person poses a threat to his/her/their own safety or the safety of others (direct threat) or when it is ordered by the court.

  • Hours | Appointments

    Services are open from: 

    • Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.


    Appointments can be made by calling 815.280.2936 or by visiting Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities at Main Campus in A-1100. Email: Mentalhealthservices@jjc.edu or online you may request an appointment by going HERE and complete "New Client - Appointment Request for Video/Phone Sessions"

    Emergency Contacts:

    • While on campus: contact Campus Police at 815.280.2334
    • Dial 911


    Dean of Area: Cyndi Vasquez-Barrios
    Email: cyvasque@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.2309

    Student Wellness Advocates: 
    Jessica Contreras
    Email: jecontre@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.6881

    Ausra Tauginaite
    Email: ataugina@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.6897

    Heidi Stukel
    Email: hstukel@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.2677

    Case Management Coordinator:

     

     

     

     

    For more in-depth information and a list of resources for students, please access your student page on MyJJC.

Health and Wellness Resources

The Office of Student Activities and Wellness provides health education and supportive resources for JJC students.  Our mission is to provide students with wellness resources, promote healthy lifestyles, reduce risky behaviors, and foster a safe educational environment.  The primary goal of our office is to provide students with the support and resources they need to assist with their own academic success. Current students can find specific information on wellness related topics, community resources, national hotlines, and supportive websites at MyJJC (requires JJC email address).

  • Student Health Programs

    Safe Zone Programs

    The purpose of this is to make Joliet Junior College a safer environment for all members of the campus community – regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression – through training allies. An ally is someone who works to end oppression through support and advocacy. Since 2009, the Office of Student Activities has trained over 170 Safe Zone Allies. Students and staff can view more information and training dates in MyJJC (requires JJC ID).

    Bystander Intervention Training

    The goals of Step Up are to: raise awareness of helping behaviors, increase motivation to help, develop skills and confidence when responding to problems or concerns, and to ensure the safety and well-being of self and others. Bystander Intervention Training events are held throughout the academic year.

    Sexual Responsibility/Awareness

    Programs about sexual responsibility and educational events are held annually.

  • Additional Programs & Information

    Volunteer Opportunities

    Students looking for community service opportunities can work with Student Wellness to learn of projects seeking volunteers.  Many opportunities can be viewed through MyJJC (requires JJC ID).

    Fairs

    Student Wellness hosts a Volunteer Fair in October and a Wellness Fair in April. These fairs bring in vendors/agencies from the communities to share information with JJC students regarding volunteer opportunities and wellness resources.

    Resource Information

    The Student Wellness page on MyJJC has resource pages available for students on many of the wellness related topics. Agency information as well as educational materials are available.

    Biennial Review