Welcome to Wellness Services

ECC Wellness Services provides confidential counseling and mental health support for currently enrolled students. Services are designed to support emotional well-being, personal growth, and academic success in a safe and inclusive environment. Counselors use a brief, solution-focused approach to help students build coping skills, manage challenges, and work toward personal goals.

You can receive support for:

• Anxiety, stress, and feeling overwhelmed
• Depression or mood concerns
• Relationship or family challenges
• Academic pressure and life transitions
• Grief, loss, and identity exploration
• Crisis or urgent concerns

What to expect:

• Complete intake forms before your first appointment
• Meet with a licensed mental health professional
• Discuss your concerns, strengths, and goals
• Develop strategies and next steps together
• Receive referrals if specialized or long-term care is needed

All services are confidential and protected under HIPAA and Illinois privacy laws. Students also have the right to respectful, culturally responsive care and active participation in their counseling experience.

Individual Services

ECC Wellness Services support groups provide students with a safe, confidential, and supportive space to connect with peers facing similar experiences or challenges. Groups are led by trained counselors or Wellness Peer facilitators and help students build coping skills, reduce stress, and feel less alone while promoting personal growth and community connection.

Benefits of joining a support group:

• Connect with peers who understand your experiences
• Learn healthy coping strategies and wellness skills
• Gain encouragement and support in a safe environment
• Reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, or isolation

Support groups may benefit students who are:

• Managing stress, anxiety, or depression
• Navigating academic pressure or life transitions
• Exploring identity, cultural, or personal growth concerns
• Looking for peer support alongside individual counseling

Students, student organizations, and campus departments can also request new support or interest-based groups focused on wellness, community, and student needs.

Support Groups

ECC Wellness Services provides urgent and crisis support for students experiencing high-risk or emergency situations. A crisis includes immediate danger, such as thoughts of suicide or self-harm, threats of violence, severe mental health episodes, or inability to care for oneself. Non-urgent concerns such as stress, academic pressure, or relationship issues are addressed through regular counseling appointments or support groups.

If a crisis occurs:

• On campus: call 911 or ECC Police, or contact Wellness Services at 847-214-7390 (Building B, Room B120)
• Off campus: call 911 or 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text/chat available 24/7)
• Additional support: Uwill (833-646-1526), Illinois Warm Line (866-359-7953), or Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)

Faculty and staff can support students by submitting a Spartan Alert for non-urgent concerns or contacting emergency services for immediate risk situations. All referrals and alerts are handled confidentially, and counseling details are never shared.

These services ensure students can access immediate help when needed while also connecting to ongoing mental health support and resources.

Crisis Intervention and Referral