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COVID-19 Mental Health Resources

Counseling Services is offering telemental health support services by video or phone meeting option. Please call 815-836-5455, leave a message to schedule an appointment or fill out a request for information form and you will receive follow-up during Center business hours M-F, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. During the summer, Center services are provided by appointment only.

Request for Information

Counselors will be able to assist you with resources and referral supports if needed. Seek additional help when necessary. Review below list for options. If you are feeling you are in immediate danger or crisis call 911.

Options for students to connect with a community mental health provider

We recognize that it may be best for students to connect resources in their local communities. If that is the case, we encourage you to seek the services that fit your needs but want you to know our counselors are also available by phone to offer support to assist you in navigating and connecting. Here are suggestions and resources.

Health care/Insurance.  Call the member services number on your insurance card for providers. Requesting support from your insurance company to find an in-network provider list and understand what services may be covered is a way to get started.

Contact your community county health department.  Call 2-1-1 for your community resources or

SAMHSA’s National Helpline - also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service. They are a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, substance use and information service, in English and Spanish.

• More information about their services can be found at  They can also be reached via phone at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889.

Psychology Today’s Find a therapist tool can be accessed at  

APA’s Psychologist locator tool can be accessed at  

NAMI HelpLine - National alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

• More information can be found at   They can also be reached Monday through Friday, 10 am–6 pm, ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

• Contact them by calling (800)273-TALK (8255). More information can also be found on their website at

Betterhelp – A teletherapy counseling website available 24/7 at a cost for subscription.

• More information can be found at

Active Minds - A nationwide student support network, has created a  to promote mental wellness during COVID-19.

Self-care and Coping information

• -Take a Mental Health Assessment Screening
• (available in 20 language translations)
• 14-Day Quarantine Self-Care Guide

Grief And Loss

Due to COVID-19, our world and the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå community has experienced so much unanticipated change and loss. So many plans, activities, sport events and playoffs and celebrations postponed, delayed or canceled. Now that the semester is ending, there may be some sense of relief but also may come more feelings of disappointment, frustration, anxiety, anger, grief and loss.  Disappointment that you couldn’t fully enjoy your last semester, friends, teachers or sports seasons. Frustration that you worked so hard and didn’t get the celebrations or closure in the same way.  Anger -  as it is unfair, “Why now?” Anxiety about the future--What next? Feelings of sadness-emptiness from the loss of what was missed out on--the community, activities, good-byes, interactions that you enjoyed and brought you meaning. As you experience feelings related to grief and loss, here are reflections and resources.

Grief is a shared and unique human feeling and experience:
Grief is a part of being human.  It is a part of life as we deal with change and cope with disappointments, loss, and death. We are sharing in the impact of COVID-19 and in this time of history. We are dealing with many kinds of grief—individual, collective (family, community, country, world) and anticipatory grief (unknowns and uncertainties about all).

Although our grief is shared, our grief is also different. We need to honor our grief and not compare or judge it to others grief.  Even though our losses are different, any type of loss can trigger grief.  Also people experience and express grief is different ways. Kübler-Ross identified grief stages of denial, anger, depression, bargaining and acceptance. It is important to remember that there is no “right” way or linear progression in grieving. Hope and healing can come through honoring feelings and strengthening supportive connections in your relationships and community.

Articles: 

• How Grief and Mourning Change during a Pandemic:

Websites:

•  - Actively Moving Forward, grief support app for persons ages 18-30
• Grief resource (Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå Counseling Services)

YouTube & Podcasts:

• : 

Yoga & Mindfulness:

Supports for Student Athletes:

• NCAA Sport Science Institute &

*Note: The Student Wellness Center of Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University does not endorse or recommend a specific website or resource. This list is to provide assistance and is not intended to be a complete list of all resources.

Helpful Tips

Be careful of Covid-19 overload and misinformation. Limit news exposure.  Turn off/mute news or social media to manage feelings of being overwhelmed. Check out state and local government sites for reliable information and information about closings.  Go to the World Health Organization ()  or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention () for correct information about the virus. While we need to stay informed, we also need to separate ourselves as we will begin to feel overwhelmed, fearful and helpless.

Our emotions reside in our bodies, so do your best now to take care of yours:

• Work towards maintaining good nutrition and regular meals.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Limit caffeine intake.
• Get some exercise – try you tube exercise programs,
• Spend some time outside, in nature, especially.
• Practice deep breathing.  Breath practice  resources on webpage  and on links below.

Social connection is really good for us too!  Maintain social distance, of course, but stay in touch with friends.  You might even try the old-fashioned art of letter writing! Remember apps like Skype, Snapchat, and Marco Polo.

Maintain a schedule, as best you can.  Meals, classes, study time, relaxation time.  A schedule helps us contain emotions and feel a sense of control. Completing simple tasks like making your bed helps to give a sense of accomplishment.

Try taking up a hobby that allows use of your body and mind, to give you an emotional break: art, DIY projects, reading, music, playing an instrument, knitting, etc.

Consider keeping a journal about what this experience is like for you.  Be sure to end your daily entry with 3 good things about the day, however small, to help keep your spirits up.

Maintain perspective and focus on hope in these uncertain times. While this is a life changing event for all of us, remind yourself of what’s good in your life and what’s important: health, friends, being able to continue towards your education, your degree - nourishing your values, recognize your strengths and focus on ways to find meaning and connection that work for you. There are many generations before us and others around the world who have lived through trying times of wars, displacement, immigration, disease, terrorism, persecution and discrimination.  They have stories of hope and resilience during difficult times of unknown. 

Look for meaning and/or spirituality.  Find ways to ground yourself, have a mantra for yourself (I will get through this, I can handle this…) to help in uncertainty and loss of control.  Take time to practice spirituality and faith if you have this value.

Spend time with your “four-legged friends.”  Some snuggle time with your pets can make a tough day a lot easier.

Do something kind for someone else.  If you can’t visit in person, call!  Look for ways to give back, serve, or support a cause. It helps take the focus of ourselves and stress. Whether that be our friends, family or strangers, we gain meaning and value as we positively impact others and our community.

Reach out to supportive friends, family or community supports if you are struggling.  If it persists and/or worsens, reach out to your medical or mental health provider.  Your wellness and safety come first.  Sometimes we are more willing and able to help others and need to receive support for ourselves.  You can’t drive on “empty” and need to be refueled/refilled.

Consider making use on one of the many available mental health apps.  You might find links below helpful. Watch or listen to a meditative podcast, YouTube or playlist on Spotify.  Use a meditative, motivational app like UCLA Mindful, Stop, Breathe & Think, Smiling Mind, Insight Timer (most are free but some apps have associated costs).  See Self-Care Resources along with links below:

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