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Welcome to the Counseling and Wellness Center at HCC
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Welcome to HCC's Counseling And Wellness Center

College Students and Mental Health

Navigating college responsibilities while balancing the demands of life can be a challenge for even the best of college students. Many college students at any time can find themselves over-whelmed by the stress of it all.
Dealing with multiple stressors can challenge a person's ability to cope. When this happens, it is not unusual for a person to experience symptoms that might be related to mental illness. This is not anything to be ashamed of.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five college students experience a mental health condition, with 75% of all mental health conditions surfacing by the age of 24.

stressed student student holding book student holding book

The HCC Counseling and Wellness Center

Some of the most common mental health issues that college students experience are:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Addiction/Substance Misuse
  • Mood Disorders like Bipolar I, II or III
  • Adjustment Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Panic Attacks
  • ADHD
  • Learning Disorders
  • Eating Disorders
  • Sleep Disorders

Some college students also experience social stressors like:

  • Housing Insecurities
  • Food Insecurities
  • Financial Issues
  • School/Work Issues
  • Gender and Domestic Violence
  • Sexual Assault
  • Self-Esteem Issues
  • Grief and Loss
  • Family and Relationship Issues
  • Gender Identity
  • Immigration Insecurities
  • Racism and Discrimination

The HCC Counseling and Wellness Center

The Counseling and Wellness Center at HCC offers free, confidential, short-term mental health counseling and coaching services for students enrolled at HCC. In cases of crisis or if a higher-level of care is necessary, our professional counselors will coordinate referrals for more immediate or specialized care within the community.

girl covers face with book

Additional services offered include:

  • Wellness workshops and presentations for the campus community.
  • Referrals and the coordination of off-campus services for extended and various levels of care.
  • Campus programming designed to educate and promote healthy decision-making and lifestyle development.
  • Advocacy for mental health policies and initiatives.

Mental health and wellness play a huge role in college students’ ability to be successful and reach their academic goals. If you are experiencing any of these issues please don’t hesitate to ask for help. Hesitating or putting things off to the last minute can make problems worse. Don’t wait until the problem turns into a crisis. Get help now!

Ask for help… Not because you are weak… But because you want to remain strong.
Les Brown

Working with a professional counselor on campus can help you get to the root of the problem as well as help you identify goals that will lead you to the best resolution available. Working with a professional counselor can also help you to grow and become a more confident and resilient person.

What To Do In Case of An Emergency

On-Campus:

If a student is in crisis, or if there is a threat to yourself or others, seek safety and please call 911 and or campus security at:

Off-Campus:

If you are concerned about yourself, another student or an incident off-campus:

  • Contact 911 or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room.
  • If you are concerned about a student, contact 911 and give them as much information as possible about the student and the situation. Include an address and a cell phone number.
    • Police Officers can “ping” a cell phone to identify a possible location in order to conduct a wellness check.
  • You can also contact Bridgeport Mobile Crisis at 203-551-7056 or 1-800- 589-9903, who are trained mental health professionals and can conduct an in-person evaluation of the person in crisis.
  • Submit a Care Report to the Counseling and Wellness Center ASAP. www.housatonic.edu/safety

Additional Resources

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 24/7

CT Infoline 211 – Community Resources

National Sexual Assault Hotline – Confidential, Hours 24/7

Substance Use Disorder Resources and Information - CT DMHAS 24/7 Access Line

National Domestic Violence Hotline - Hours: 24/7

SAMHSA National Helpline

  • Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or Text 435748 (HELP4U)

For Faculty and Staff

How to Help a Student in Distress

Faculty and Staff are the ones on the frontline when it comes to student engagement. They are often the first to hear about or notice when a student is struggling or in distress.
If you are not a mental health professional it can be challenging to know how to respond. Mental health is everyone’s responsibility. You don’t have to be a mental health professional to assist a student in distress, you just need to care and be willing to help!

How to Help a Student in Distress PowerPoint

A step-by-step guide to assisting a student who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. A classroom with many students

Book an appointment with a counselor

If you would like to make an appointment to meet with a counselor, please stop by the Counseling and Wellness Center located in Lafayette Hall, Room A-242. You can also call 203-332- 5285 or email us at . The Counseling and Wellness Center is open Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. We also offer tele-counseling appointments via online or by telephone. Evening appointments may be available at request.