Supporting You and Our Students During Stressful Times
April 18, 2023 10:02 AM

Dear Colleagues,

As we navigate the end of semester, we know this can be a challenging time. Exams, deadlines, and displays of inequity and intolerances in our society can create stress and anxiety.

We ask everyone to be conscious and aware of your own health and wellbeing during this time. Panic, depression, anxiety, excessive fatigue, avoidance, or confusion are all indicators that you may need help and should seek assistance.

Please also be vigilant for signs of distress or concern in your students and colleagues. Students who show signs of panic, depression, anxiety, excessive fatigue (e.g., from academic or personal stressors), avoidance, confusion or who report conditions such as their "mind goes blank," may need your help and encouragement in seeking assistance.

If you become concerned about a student, the Student Assistance Center (SAC) can help. Staff in the SAC is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Additionally, the Emergency Dean Program provides a university administrator who is on-call to assist in health or safety emergency situations that occur after business hours and require an immediate university response. To reach the SAC or the Emergency Dean, please call 217-333-0050. You can find additional information about these programs at odos.illinois.edu/community-of-care.

If it is a health or safety emergency, please call 911.

Listed below are some of the specialized programs and support services:

Psychological, Interpersonal, and Academic Concerns

Counseling Center
2nd Floor, Turner Student Services Building
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Friday
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
Phone: 217-333-3704
counselingcenter.illinois.edu/counseling

Counseling Center Skill-Building Programming
This hub of resources includes information to aid students in coping with the stress and challenges of college life and beyond.
counselingcenter.illinois.edu/outreach-and-prevention/outreach-series

McKinley Mental Health
313 McKinley Health Center
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Phone: 217-333-2700

Stress Management/Self-Help

WellTrack Interactive Self-Help
WellTrack is an app that allows students, faculty, and staff to track their moods and learn about how they can better control conditions like anxiety and depression. It is available to all Illinois students, faculty, and staff—you do not need to be a client of the Counseling Center to access it.
counselingcenter.illinois.edu/WellTrack

McKinley Online Relaxation Exercises
Guided imagery, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation.
mckinley.illinois.edu/relax

McKinley Health Resource Centers
Over-the-counter self-care supplies are available at the following locations.  
Students may pick up a sleep pack and more to help keep them well to excel.

McKinley Health Center, main lobby
9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Illini Union, Room 129 (north)
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday

Student Dining & Residential Programs Building (SDRP)
Vending Machine in the Mail Room

McKinley’s Health Education unit has staff that provide one-on-one consultations in fitness, nutrition, sexual health, and stress management. Students should call McKinley at 217-333-2700 to schedule an appointment.

MindWise Mental Health Screenings
Encourage students to take a quick screening to see if feelings like prolonged sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of pleasure, and/or hopelessness might actually be related to depression. Other screenings for generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol misuse, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder are also available. Visit counselingcenter.illinois.edu/screenings

University Wellness Resources Portal
Get connected to services for mental health, wellness, access, and accommodation all in one place.
wellness.illinois.edu

After Hours Psychological Emergencies and Other Critical Problems

The Counseling Center and McKinley Health Center collaborate with Rosecrance Central Illinois to provide students with Psychological Emergency Services, which are available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, and focus on problems that need to be addressed immediately (e.g., serious illness, death in the family, severe anxiety, suicidal crisis).

For a consultation with a mental health professional after office hours, direct students to call the Crisis Line at 217-359-4141. The student and the mental health professional can strategize about the best way to make certain help is received.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for everyone, is free, and confidential. Call or text 988 for help.

Please note that college offices and the academic deans can also help with academic related and personal problems. Find your college or school contact.

Supporting You

We hope you are staying well as we move towards the end of the semester. However, you too may be experiencing greater levels of stress during these uncertain and challenging times. Your health and safety are of utmost importance to us. The Faculty Staff Assistance Services (FSAS) offers free confidential assistance to employees and their families who may be experiencing difficulties. This includes assessments, short-term counseling, crisis services, and referrals to appropriate resources. Please contact FSAS at fsas@illinois.edu or 217-244-5312 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. If you experience a crisis, outside of regular business hours, please call the FSAS Crisis Line at 217-244-7739.

Sincerely,

William Bernhard
Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost

Danita M. Brown Young
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Shari Mickey-Boggs
Senior Associate Chancellor for Human Resources