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Counseling & Mental Health Support

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On-campus Emergencies

If you have a crisis emergency while on campus, contact the Counseling Department immediately by calling 309-796-5199 or emailing counseling@bhc.edu.

After Hours Emergencies

Physical Safety Emergencies

  • BHC Police Department: 309-796-5911
  • Call 911. If calling from an on-campus phone, dial 5-911.

Counseling Services

All counseling services are free to current BHC students. To schedule a confidential appointment, please call, email or stop by our office on either campus.

During your first appointment, a professional counselor will:

  • Help clarify your concerns
  • Explore ongoing counseling needs
  • Determine if additional services would be beneficial

We will help you whether your concerns are personal, educational or social. We assist you in exploring alternatives, weighing consequences and learning new skills to help you cope with and resolve the problems you are facing. Everything you discuss during your counseling session will be completely confidential.

TimelyCare Telehealth Services

As a BHC student, you have FREE access to TimelyCare telehealth services. Providers are available to offer medical and mental health support via phone or secure video.

Services offered

Medical (24/7)

On-demand or scheduled access to a medical provider who can treat a wide range of common illnesses like cold and flu, sinus infection, allergies, and more.

TalkNow (24/7)

On-demand access to a mental health professional to talk about anything at anytime.

Scheduled Counseling

Scheduled appointments to meet with a licensed counselor (limit 6 per year).

Psychiatry

Scheduled appointments available through a campus counseling referral.

Free classes

Yoga, meditation, and other wellness oriented sessions.

Visits can happen from any web-enabled device – smartphone, laptop, or desktop. TimelyCare is available from anywhere in the United States.

To get started, visit BHC’s TimelyCare website or download the app and register an account with your student BHC email address.

Visit TimelyCare

The services available through TimelyCare are designed to expand and enhance our traditional services but might be particularly useful for students who are seeking a counselor from a particular demographic background or for those who are unable to meet for appointments during our traditional office hours.

Peer Mentoring Program

Peer mentors raise awareness, provide education and serve as a resource to fellow BHC students on a wide variety of mental health issues. They will provide support, challenge you, commiserate with you, and be your cheerleader. Most importantly, they will listen!

To contact a peer mentor, email counseling@bhc.edu.

Zen Zone

The BHC Zen Zone is a sensory or relaxation room where students can go to engage the senses and refocus. The goal of the Zen Zone is to provide the students with a safe environment and the tools necessary to manage stress. 

The Zen Zone is a place to:

  • Practice relaxation skills discussed in the students’ counseling work.
  • De-stress from daily demands.
  • Decompress before or after an exam, clinical or lab experiences, or any time a student is overwhelmed in their day.
  • Meditate

The room is stocked with coloring books, fidgets, eye massager, sun lamp for light therapy, white noise machine, noise cancelling earphones and other mindfulness activities. To get a tour or to reserve a time in the Zen Zone email counseling@bhc.edu.

Mental Health Policies

Confidentiality

Your counseling information is confidential. No information about who is receiving counseling or the nature of their visits is released without the written permission of the person. Exceptions to this include subpoena, in cases of current child abuse, or if there is an expressed intent to harm one’s self or another. Black Hawk College counselors adhere to the ethical standards and practices of the American Counseling Association, Alexandria, VA.

Student Optional Disclosure

In accordance with the Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Act (IGP 59.1), Black Hawk College is providing students the opportunity to authorize, in writing, the disclosure of certain private mental health information to a designated adult of their choosing.

Fill Out the Emergency Contact Release Form

Full Details

The Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information Act in the state of Illinois provides you with the opportunity to designate an adult whom you would like us to contact in the event that you experience a mental health emergency that puts you or others at risk for serious injury or death. You are not required to designate a contact. If you would like to designate an Emergency Mental Health Contact, please fill out the online form.

This Act states that an institution of higher learning may disclose mental health information if a qualified examiner makes a determination that the student poses a clear danger to himself, herself or others to protect the student or other person against a clear, imminent risk of serious physical or mental injury or disease or death being inflicted upon the person or by the student on himself, herself or another. The qualified examiner shall, as soon as practicable, but in no more than 24 hours after making the determination under this section, attempt to contact the designated person and notify the designated person that the qualified examiner has made a determination that the student poses a clear, imminent danger to himself, herself or others.

If you desire to designate a person who would receive certain private mental health information in such a situation, complete the form and indicate if you authorize or decline to authorize the disclosure of the information.

Counseling FAQs

What qualifications and credentials do the counselors have?

All of our counselors have master’s degrees and extensive coursework of additional post-graduate study.

What is the difference between a counselor and an academic advisor?

A counselor is a faculty member as well as a master’s degree-level professional trained in counseling. Counselors also work with faculty and staff as consultants and trainers.

An academic advisor is a professional staff or faculty member trained to assist students with academic planning. Advisors make referrals for various student concerns to counselors or other campus services.

How long can I receive counseling?

Due to a high demand for services, and to ensure that the greatest number of students can receive services, the college sets a limit on the total number of individual counseling appointments students may receive. Please discuss the specifics of this policy with your counselor.

Is counseling only for people who have emotional problems?

No, counseling can also assist with the following:

  • Adjusting to new surroundings/circumstances or a new culture
  • Building self-esteem
  • Choosing a major or career path
  • Coping with grief, loss and depression
  • Learning new communication skills
  • Learning stress management
  • Overcoming math or speech anxiety
  • Overcoming social anxiety
  • Resolving a conflict with a teacher, friend or relative

What are common concerns that counselors can help with?

It’s nice to know you’re not alone. These are some of students’ most common concerns that we can help with.

  • Career development and decision-making
  • Academic and educational planning
  • Adjustment to college
  • Stress and time management
  • Study and test-taking skills
  • Anxiety
  • Improving relationships
  • Child and family issues
  • Domestic violence
  • Conflict resolution
  • Depression
  • Cultural/intercultural issues
  • Alcohol and substance use
  • Communication issues
  • Eliminating self-defeating behaviors
  • Grief and loss
  • Sexual assault
  • Concern for a friend
  • Referrals to community resources
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Mental Wellness Events

Be sure to keep an eye out for these special events hosted by BHC Counseling:

  • Social Services Fair at each campus in the fall
  • Awareness month activities (lead by Peer Mentors)
  • Stress relief events:
    • Pet therapy is provided by the Quad Cities Canine Assistance Network (QC CAN)
    • Yoga classes: take a break from studying and stretch with us in a FREE yoga class
  • Gray Matters BHC gatherings: all enrolled BHC students are welcome to be a part of the club.

Upcoming Events

16Apr
4-16-2025 to 4-30-2025

‘What was I wearing?’ – Sexual Assault Awareness Month installation

28Apr
4-28-2025 // 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Finals Fun Fest

01May
5-01-2025 // 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Pet therapy

View All Counseling Events

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BHC Food Pantry

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Student Life

Find information on student life and resources to make the most of your time at Black Hawk College.
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Mental Health Resources

Browse our helpful list of emergency hotlines, veterans resources, mental health screenings, support groups and more.

Contact

Counseling Department

309-796-5199
counseling@bhc.edu

Wendy Bock

Director of Counseling
309-796-5198
bockw@bhc.edu

Quad-Cities Campus

Building 1, Room 377
(above the Advising Center)

East Campus

Building A, Advising Center

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Black Hawk College Homepage
Quad-Cities Campus
6600 34th Ave
Moline, IL 61265
309-796-5000
East Campus
26230 Black Hawk Rd
Galva, IL 61434
309-854-1700
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