Indian Hills Community College provides behavioral health counseling free of charge to all current students. Both college and personal life can be complicated and stressful. If you have any personal issues that are interfering with your progress and success in your personal or academic goals, a counselor can help you deal with the challenges you face. It is important to remember that no two people look at an experience in the world in exactly the same way.
Common Concerns
Here are some common concerns that bring students to the Behavioral Health Services Center:
- depressed mood or mood swings
- worry and stress
- anger and irritability
- feeling alone and isolated
- problems sleeping
- grief and loss
- poor concentration and focus
- low motivation
- thoughts of self–harm/self–harming behaviors
- negative addictive behaviors
- time management and organization problems
- interpersonal conflicts including problems with roommates, friends, or a current romantic relationship
- family issues
- problems associated with eating and maintaining a health body image
- dating and relationship issues
- sexuality issues
- difficulty adjusting to the college, whether you are a new or returning student
Counseling can include any of the above issues, or any other issues pertinent to your experience. Counseling is for you, and you alone. You will visit with a licensed psychologist or social worker trained in providing you with the specific help you need.
Behavioral Health Services provides a confidential setting for you to explore concerns and achieve a better understanding of yourself — your feelings, attitudes, and strengths.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is the basis for trust between a counselor and a student and is a priority in any counseling situation. When you see a counselor at Behavioral Health Services, you can trust that your privacy will be protected. Confidentiality allows you to feel safe in discussing your thoughts and emotions with full confidence that what you say remains between you and your counselor. Your visits to Behavioral Health Services are not part of your school records. Because confidentiality is the basis for any therapeutic approach, the counselor will explain to you your rights regarding confidentiality in the very first session.
Services Offered:
Individual Counseling
At this time, Behavioral Health Services offers short–term individual counseling. A counseling session lasts for approximately 50 minutes. During the initial counseling session, your counselor will assess your needs and in collaboration with you, make a treatment plan tailored to your needs based on his/her professional opinion.
You and your counselor will work together to decide how frequently and for how long a period it is necessary to meet. You may decide to take no further action at that time — you are not obligated to continue counseling once you’ve attended an initial session. If you have any questions about the first appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact Behavioral Health Services.
Crisis Response and Intervention
Sometimes, stress can be overwhelming, and you become too distraught or upset to think. If you feel panicky or suicidal, you can walk directly into the Student Health and Wellness Center, during operating hours, and someone will be there to listen and, if necessary, refer you to the appropriate resources. If you feel you need professional help before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., you can call a local crisis line staffed by trained counselors, social workers, nurses, or a psychologist. The number in the Ottumwa area is (641) 682-8772. If you would prefer to see someone in person, after hours, please go to the Emergency Room at the Ottumwa Regional Health Center.
C.A.R.E. Team
Indian Hills Community College maintains a C.A.R.E. Team (Campus Assessment-Response-Evaluation) that provides guidance and assistance to
students who are experiencing crisis, displaying odd or unusual behaviors, or engaging
in other behaviors that may be perceived as being harmful (either to student individually
or to others).
To learn more about the C.A.R.E. Team, click here.
Appointments
At any time, you may call (641) 683-5152 to make an appointment at the Student Health and Wellness Center. Appointments are available on Monday through Thursday 8:00AM - 4:45PM.
When you make an appointment, you will meet with a trained counselor or social worker
contracted by Indian Hills Community College to provide counseling services to help
students achieve their academic and career goals.
Additional Resources
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The Trevor Project
Website: www.thetrevorproject.org
Phone: 1-866-488-7386
LGBTQ Crisis Resources