The Office of Student Mental Health & Wellness Located in Room C-2019

The Office of Student Mental Health & Wellness at JJC offers counseling services, wellness education and personalized case management to support students' mental health and overall well-being. Our team is here to help students navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve success in all aspects of their lives.

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

The Office of Student Mental Health & Wellness provides professional support to help JJC students navigate personal challenges that may arise during their college experience. Our clinically licensed therapist and interns offer confidential individual counseling sessions to address concerns that may impact students' academic, social, or personal well-being.

Services include:
  • Confidential brief personal counseling on various issues
  • Case Management 
  • Workshops, group therapy, and presentations
  • Outreach and student wellness events
  • Consultation and training for faculty and staff on supporting students facing mental health challenges

We offer flexible counseling options to meet students' needs, including in-person appointments at Main or Romeoville campuses and tele-mental health services via video or phone. All current semester enrolled students are eligible for brief personal counseling, and case management is available to connect students with community resources as needed.

  • For Parents and Families

    At Joliet Junior College, all enrolled students have access to free mental health and wellness services. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking care and taking steps toward their personal well-being.

    The transition to adulthood is full of growth and challenges. Our team, including licensed therapists and interns, is here to help students navigate these experiences while fostering personal growth, healthy relationships, and academic success.

    We prioritize confidentiality in all interactions, ensuring that your student’s privacy is respected. While we welcome your inquiries about our general services and your concerns for your student, specific information can only be shared with their consent.

    Encourage your student to visit or call us to learn more about how we can support them. Together, we can help create a positive and healthy college experience.

  • Online Confidential Mental Health Screening

    We also offer free and anonymous online screening for PTSD, eating disorders, addictions, 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 Office of Student Mental Health & Wellness 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 Director who will determine the appropriate response and outreach. Due to privacy and confidentiality laws, The Office of Student Mental Health & Wellness cannot provide updates on outreach attempts or student's engagement in the program to the reporter.

    If concerns persist, reporter can consult with the Director.

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

     

  • 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

    Director
    Cindy Danzell
    Email: cindy.danzell@jjc.edu
    Phone: 815.280.2485

    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

    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.