Student Mental Health & Wellness Program Located in Room C-2019

The Student Mental Health & Wellness Program provides health education and support services for JJC students.

Services On and Off Campus

The Student Wellness Program has made it possible to have counseling appointments on or off campus. We can provide tele-mental health services, which means our appointments with our students can be via video or via phone per student preference. We will also see students on campus in person if requested. 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 Coordinator, Case Management 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 free 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 located on Main Campus Room C-2019.

    To learn more about all of our services or support encourage your student to call or stop by 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, 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.

  • Care Report

    With the creation of the Care Report, the Student Mental Health & Wellness Program aim to assist students in need with care and compassion. The Care Report allows staff, faculty, students and community members to report students who may need assistance and are experiencing issues such as:

    • Anxiety, panic, or depression
    • Family concerns or challenges
    • Patterns of significant interpersonal conflict
    • Traumatic experiences 
    • Financial challenges
    • Stressful work/life balance
    • Social skills or campus community integration
    • Unmet basic needs
    • Grief/Loss
    • Illness

    The Care Report is submitted directly to the Case Management Coordinator who will determine the appropriate response and outreach. Due to privacy and confidentiality laws, the Case Management Coordinator and Student Mental Health & Wellness Program cannot provide updates on outreach attempts or student's engagement in the program to the reporter.

    If concerns persist, reporter can consult with the Case Management Coordinator. In the event the report includes any instances of code of conduct violations, the report may be shared with the BIT team for further intervention.

    Submit a Care Report  it can also be located at jjc.edu/carereport 

     

  • Student Support Services - Housing and Food Insecurity

    In an effort to aid students that are experiencing housing instability and food insecurity, Joliet Junior College designated a liaison to assist students.

    Students in higher education are increasingly struggling to meet basic needs such as stable housing.  We provide the most up-to-date state and local resources available to assist Joliet Junior College students facing homelessness or housing and food insecurity.

    Homeless is defined as a student who does not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes, but is not limited to, students who:

    • Are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
    • Are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
    • Are living in emergency or transitional shelters;
    • Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
    • Couch surfing; or
    • Are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

    Within the State of Illinois, you can use the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) to apply on-line for healthcare, SNAP, cash assistance and the Medicare Savings programs.

    You can also apply for healthcare and SNAP over the phone by calling the ABE Customer Call Center (800) 843-6154

    • If you believe you may not be eligible for Medicaid, you may still be eligible for financial assistance to purchase private insurance through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace. VisitHealthcare.gov

    Find more information about programs offered through ABE

    If you are at risk or experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, contact the Joliet Junior College Homeless Liaison:

    Veronica Cabrera, Supportive Services Coordinator

    Phone: (815) 280-2829   Email: vmascote@jjc.edu

    If you know someone struggling, submit a Care Report  

  • 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 through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m (Campus is closed on Fridays in the Summer Semester)


    Appointments can be made by calling 815.280.2936 or by visiting our office at Main Campus in Room C-2019. Email: Mentalhealthservices@jjc.edu or online you may request an appointment and complete "New Client - Appointment Request for Mental Health Services"

    Emergency Contacts:

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

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

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

    Kristy Caponi
    Email: kristina.caponi@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.2687

    Danielle Tierney
    Email: danielle.tierney@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.6933

    Coordinator, Case Management:
    Mike Liacone
    Email: mliacone@jjc.edu 
    Phone: 815.280.6608

    Suppportive Services Coordinator:
    Veronica Cabrera
    Email: vmascote@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.2829

    Clinical Case Manager:

    Administrative Assistant:
    Kellie Nahas
    Email: knahas@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.2759

    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).

    Mental Health First Aid Training

    Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. This course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)

    • Assess for risk of suicide or harm
    • Listen nonjudgmentally
    • Give reassurance and information
    • Encourage appropriate professional help
    • Encourage self-help and other support strategies

    If you are interested in Mental Health First Aid Training, contact the Student Mental Health and Wellness Program at Joliet Junior College by calling 815-280-2936 or email at mentalhealthservices@jjc.edu .  View for more information and training dates that are held throughout the academic year.

    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

     

  • Student Emergency Fund

    Life comes with many challenges, and unexpected emergencies happen. JJC offers Student Emergency Funds to those students in need of food, textbooks/supplies, gas cards and bus passes due to an emergency situation. JJC has also been awarded a grant through the American Rescue Plan Act for students needing assistance for transportation issues, utility assistance, and housing/food insecurity. 

    To apply, complete the Student Emergency Fund application.