Keeping You Informed
Winter Term 2023
Working Together to Help Our Students
For a student to receive services, they just need to schedule an appointment with us. However, if a student is in crisis, we encourage them to come directly to Counseling Services during normal business hours or reach out to Campus Safety after hours.
By keeping you informed, we are hoping that you can refer students to our services or upcoming events and help promote the students in being proactive when it comes to their wellness.
How Can I Help My Students?
Early Steps to Help
- Listen and be patient. Simply giving someone space to talk, and listening to how they're feeling, can be really helpful in itself. They will share at the pace that comfortable with them.
- Offer reassurance, not dismissiveness. Seeking help can feel lonely, and sometimes scary. You can reassure someone by letting them know that they are not alone, and that you will be there to help. Don't use phrases like, "you're fine!" or "cheer up!"
- Try not to make assumptions, ask open questions. Your perspective might be useful to them, but try not to assume that you already know what may have caused their feelings, or what will help.
- Talk about self care. Know the acronym, "HALT." Is the individual hungry, angry, lonely or tired? Have they been taking care of themselves and how can you help?
- Know your limits. Your self care matters too, do not over-extend yourself at your expense.
Referring a Student to Counseling
- Use the Early Alert system - BE SPECIFIC with your concerns for mental health.
- Contact us at 309-341-7492 is the fastest way to schedule an appointment, but you can also send us an email at counseling@knox.edu!
Signs to Note:
- Marked Changes in Academic Performance or Behavior
- Physical Signs
- Social Withdrawal
- Strange Behaviors and Impaired Thinking
- Exaggerated Emotional Responses
- Threatening Statements and Behavior
Referring a Student in Crisis to Counseling Services
- Crisis appointments are available for students who are needing immediate assistance due to safety concerns. In a crisis appointment, the student will evaluate their situation with a counselor while building a plan of what to do next.
- During business hours - 9:00am-4:30pm: A counselor will see the student as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to reach out if you feel like they are in a crisis. If you are worried the student will not come to our office, offer to walk them over. If the student leaves and you are still concerned, contact the Dean of Students, Debbie Southern.
- After Business Hours: Call Campus Safety at 309-341-7979 and they can help the student in reaching assistance. Call 9-1-1 if there is any immediate danger to themself or others.
Promoting Wellness: Upcoming Events
Bi-Weekly Toilet Paper!
Encourage students to read them, then swing by the office to answer a trivia question, and be entered for a raffle at the end of the term!
Weekly Coping with Crafts
The masses have spoken and have expressed interest in how to utilize arts and crafts as a healthy coping skill and to express themselves!
A counselor will be set up with a different activity each week for students to learn to do and take with them.These can vary from paper crafts, yarn crafts, writing, making something for yourself, for someone else, or something to take care of.
Counselor Q&A/Coffee with Counselors
We hope to break down the stigma of engaging with mental health and encourage whole body wellness!
These will be offered in Seymore on the following dates:
Friday, 1/13/2023 from 9am-11am.
Monday, 1/20/2023 from 9am-11am.
Tuesday, 2/21/2023 from 9am-11am.
Mental Health Screening Day
Wednesday, 1/18/2023, from 10am to 3pm
Taking a mental health screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable.
Some conditions that our screenings are used to detect include depression, anxiety, bi-polar, and eating disorders.
Students will be encouraged to stop by Counseling Services to take a free and anonymous mental health assessment. Their assessment will be scored and they will meet with a counselor, one-on-one in a confidential setting to go over their results, discuss resources, and get set up for treatment if needed.
Winter Bingo!
Students will have the opportunity to participate in various self-care activities in an attempt to promote personal wellness, stave off the winter blues and interact with others.
Students will pick up their BINGO cards at our office, take pictures to show off their self-care skills, and be entered to win a prize!!!
Build Your Own Coping Box!
Wednesday, 2/8/2023 from 10am-3pm.
From essential oils, grounding techniques, to candy and journaling. We will have everything they need to provide them with some healthy tools to cope with daily stressors.
Winter R.E.C.E.S.S : Beat the COLD with this event!
Wednesday, 2/15/2023 from 10am-3pm.
Mental, emotional and physical wellness become most compromised during this period of dreary, cold and post-holiday bustle. We want to help energize and increase self-awareness with this event for faculty, staff and students!
Learn about:
- Relaxation
- Exercise
- Cognition
- Education
- Self-Care
- Socialization
A Little Bit of Everything
This group offers a little bit of this and a little bit of that on some of the requests on campus. This group will provide the space to discuss various issues and concerns including ways to manage stress, relationships, communication, helping others, self care, coping skills, and more.
Survivors of Sexual Assault
Tuesdays, 4p-5:30p, beginning on 1/10
This confidential group is for individuals who are survivors of sexual trauma. This group provides a safe space for students to receive support and discuss their trauma without fear of being judged.
Anxiety Group
Wednesdays at 4:00pm, beginning on 1/11
This is an open group for students who experience excessive anxiety or worry. The focus will be on education and practical techniques. Each session will have a topic, but will adjust to the needs of group members that week.
Real talk
This group will provide opportunities to build peer relationships through increasing confidence, communication skills, conflict resolution and more to support you in building a more positive and rewarding experience with friends, family, and for your professional future.
Body Positive
Thursdays, 4pm, beginning 1/12
This open weekly group will promote "body positivity" which is a movement supporting the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and physical abilities. Proponents focus less on physical appearance and more on the overall health of the human body. Individuals will learn to build confidence and self-love to face the challenges happening in the world today.
We Also Offer...
Timely Care - Therapy for Everyone!
TimelyCare serves as a 24/7 virtual extension of campus counseling center resources, with a goal of improving faculty, staff and student well-being, engagement, and retention – at no cost and without the hassle of traditional insurance – including:
● On-demand mental health and emotional support (TalkNow)
● Appointment-based mental health counseling
● Psychiatric support
● Health coaching
● Digital self-care content
Services Provided:
- TalkNow - 24/7 mental health support
- Telehealth Counseling
- Health Coaching
- Peer to Peer Support
How to Access TimelyCare:
- Visit www.timelycare.com/knox
- Log in with your Knox email address
- Fill out some information (all information is HIPAA compliant, confidential, and secure)
- Click "Get Care"
DON'T FORGET: YOU CAN USE THIS SERVICE TOO!
Consultation
Outreach
Counseling Services
Making an appointment is easy! Calling is the fastest way to schedule an appointment, but you can also visit our office or send us an email!
Current Staff:
Megan McGruder – Director, Counselor
Brittany Dean – Assistant Director, Counselor
Jeanine Fox - Counselor
Rhonda Nelson - Counselor
Crystal Williams - Online Counselor
Vicki Swedlund - Administrative Assistant
Email: counseling@knox.edu
Website: https://www.knox.edu/offices/health-and-counseling-center/counseling-services
Location: Furrow Hall 175 West Knox St.
Phone: 309-341-7492
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knoxcollegecounselingservices/