The end of the semester is tough--deadlines, late nights, and concern over grades can add up to a lot of stress, and it's essential that you take care of yourself during this hectic time. The Counseling Center is here when you need us. 

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the impending end to the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. We understand that the decision can have many implications for our students and can cause emotional distress.  Please know that the Counseling Center is here to assist. We have a number of trained mental health professionals who offer confidential mental health consultations. 

The Counseling Center at Illinois is deeply saddened and troubled by this weekend’s events in Charlottesville, Virginia. We send our condolences to the friends and families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured while protesting hateful rhetoric from white supremacist groups. These acts of violence have no place anywhere, but we are especially saddened this happened on a college campus—where diversity of people and ideas are historically embraced. At Illinois, we stand in solidarity with our colleagues at the University of Virginia and continue to work toward social justice.

Update, 7/3/17: As events of Ms. Zhang’s case have unfolded the past few days, the Counseling Center wishes to reiterate our thoughts and support for Ms. Zhang’s family and for those who are affected by this tragedy. It is difficult to learn that someone who was formerly part of our campus community is charged with her abduction. Students, please see below for information about how receive services at the Counseling Center if you would like to talk to someone.

On May 3, the Counseling Center presented the 2017 Robert P. Larsen Human Development Awards. Given annually, the awards recognize those in our campus community who are working to make a difference, enhance student development, and maximizing student capabilities to make effective and satisfying life choices.

The Counseling Center is partnering with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to host a drop-in space for those in our community who are dealing with anxiety and stress as a result of uncertainty around recent proposed changes to immigration policy. Each Thursday at 4 p.m., Counseling Center staff will be available in the ISSS Multipurpose Room in the Turner Student Services Building.

Beginning in Spring 2017, the Counseling Center will offer a new, short-term group option. RIO, which stands for recognition, insight, and openness, is three session group that focuses help people with their emotional concerns. 

The Counseling Center is deeply saddened by the horrible events of early Sunday morning in which George Korchev, a visitor to our community, died, and five others were injured.  Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. We understand that many students may be having a range of responses and can benefit from assistance sorting through their experiences and/or guidance with coping strategies.

The Counseling Center will offer two new group therapy options for Fall 2016: a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) group and an Expressive Arts Therapy group.

The University of Illinois Counseling Center stands in solidarity with those who are feeling anger, grief, fear, frustration, and concern about our nation in the wake of the tragedies that occurred this week. We understand these tragedies are difficult to isolate from countless other tragedies and violent acts throughout our country over the past several years. Like many others in our community, we are deeply concerned about the continued deaths of Black men at the hands of law enforcement. We are equally troubled about the injuries and deaths of police officers and bystanders at the Black Lives Matter rally last night in Dallas. We continue to have faith in the goodness found in our humanity and are working within our local communities to make things safer and more equitable for everyone. Social advocacy can be an avenue for empowering individuals and communities.