Wellness Center helps students manage pandemic stress

By Kathryn Kruszynski
Editor-in-Chief

Harold Washington students are facing added stress and mental health challenges this year in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly all classes, activities and services have gone virtual, including those offered at the Harold Washington Wellness Center.

Students may be struggling with virtual learning environments in addition to other issues, such as mental health, food and housing security, time management and isolation. An informal survey of the Harold Washington Community resounded with particular concern about the impact these issues are having on stress and overall quality of life.

“Time and stress management are crucial right now. We are redefining what it means to work remotely, work from our residences and communicate with one another through online platforms,” said Marissa Cirilo, a Wellness Center coordinator. “Many students may not know that our office is fully operational and open this fall. All of our services are being offered remotely through Zoom.”

Individual counseling, psychological screenings and evaluations, classroom and student club visits and resource linkage for housing, health care and food security are just some of the services the Wellness Center offers. All services are free and confidential to full or part-time students and staff.

Cirilo emphasized that the first step toward getting help is reaching out and not being afraid to ask questions.

“We meet students where they are at and support them in defining what counseling is for them,” she said. “Every student is so unique and is the expert in their own life.” 

To contact the Wellness Center, virtual “walk-ins” are available without an appointment Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. To avoid occasionally long waiting times, appointments can also be scheduled by reaching out to hwc-wellnesscenter@ccc.edu.

kkruszynskihwc@gmail.com