State Resources

Visit the state of Minnesota website for a variety of mental health resources.

County Crisis Services

COPE - If you are experiencing a mental health crisis in Hennepin County, this mobile team will come to your site to provide face-to-face assessment and resources within two hours: 612-596-1223.

Every county in Minnesota has a mental health crisis intervention outreach resource for adults:

Anoka:  763-755-3801    Carver/Scott: 952-442-7601 
Dakota: 952-891-7171    Washington:  651-275-7400
 

 Suicide Hotline:  1-800-273-8255, or text "Start" to 741-741.

 

Additional Resources

United HealthCare is providing free mental health support via phone to any student who is experiencing anxiety or stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their toll-free number is staffed 24/7 by trained mental health specialists. Students can reach it by calling 866-342-6892. Find additional resources here.

Faculty, find additional resources here.

Employees, find the Coping with COVID-19 presentation here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We are located in the ES building across the hall from the testing center and bookstore (ES 118).

You can call our front desk 763-493-0554 to schedule a time to come in, or stop by during business hours. We ask that students coming to the Counseling Center for the first time come in 5 to 10 minutes early to complete paperwork.

All counseling appointments in Counseling Services are free of charge. This includes intake appointments, follow-ups, walk-ins, and crisis appointments. If an assessment for medication is indicated and desired, we may facilitate a referral to a community provider.

Appointments are typically scheduled from 9am-3pm Monday-Friday, with some evening appointments available. We try to accommodate our students needs as best we can. Please call 763-493-0554 for availably.

The Counselor you meet with individually will discuss the reasons that brought you to the Counseling Center. They may ask what types of symptoms you are experiencing and how you have been coping. They may also ask questions related to your academics and any barriers you are encountering. During the first meeting, you and your counselor will discuss strategies for coping that best fit your needs, preferences, and resources.

You and your counselor will decide together what the focus of counseling should be. You may also set some specific goals and/or a timeline and schedule of meetings. During individual sessions, you'll talk about what is important to you at that moment. Your counselor can help you put your feelings and thoughts into words. Over time, we hope, the two of you will build a trusting and collaborative relationship.

Talking to someone who is not involved in any other part of your life and who is committed to helping you figure out what you want can help you understand things about your life and choices you may not have known before. Once you know yourself better and understand your situation more clearly, you are usually able to find creative solutions to problems and difficulties. Your counselor may have also direct advice, suggestions and information for you as you consider how to help yourself.

No, current NHCC students are allowed to meet with a counselor as needed.

All counseling sessions are free of charge.

If a student requires longer-term or more intensive psychotherapy or specialized care the Counseling Center cannot provide, we will make a referral to a clinician in the community who can provide that care. If you are referred to a clinician in the community, you will need to use your health insurance or pay out of pocket for that care. We will make every effort to make sure that referral fits your clinical and practical needs. If the referral is not working for you, for any reason, you are encouraged to contact the clinician at the Counseling Center that you initially saw to discuss your options.

Confidentiality: Information shared during a counseling session will be handled in a confidential manner to the extent permitted by law. Your records are classified as private data about you and can only be disclosed to others outside of the college if:

  • You sign a release of information permitting such disclosure;
  • Needed to protect the health or safety of yourself or others;
  • Required to report abuse or neglect of minors or vulnerable adults;
  • Records are subject to a valid subpoena or court order; or

If you are having thoughts of suicide it is important that you let your counselor know. Suicidal thoughts vary greatly and understanding the nature of your thoughts will assist us in providing the best care to keep you safe and provide you the appropriate help.

In rare cases, a student may be in an acute crisis in which he/she demonstrates behavior that elicits serious and immediate concern about safety (either the student's or your own) or about the student's ability to function (e.g. poor contact with reality). In such acute cases, you are urged to contact either Public Safety (NHCC Public Safety 763-424-0807) and/or local law enforcement (911). If you are unsure if the situation warrants this, a consultation with a counselor (763-493-0554) can help determine if emergency treatment is needed.

Students may request another counselor if they do not feel a connection or are uncomfortable with their initial counselor. The counseling team desires that you get the help you need and certainly understands that a change in counselor may be needed for the best quality of care.

The Counseling Center does not provide readiness to return to work assessments, court mandated counseling, or documentation for therapy animals, emotional support animals, or service animals; however, we can assist you with identifying community mental health providers who may be able to assist you with these issues.

You can call or meet with a counselor and discuss your concerns. The counselor can give you ideas for speaking with your friend and getting the help he or she desperately needs. Let your friend know there is hope and that he or she is not alone. Try to bring them to the Counseling Center. Counselors can help you find reading material and additional campus and community resources. After hours, NHCC Public Safety 763-424-0807 provides immediate response to on-campus emergency concerns.

Your counselor can help you with study strategies, explore your learning style, test taking strategies, steps to reduce test anxiety, and ways to resolve personal concerns that may be interfering with your ability to concentrate on your studies. If a life trauma has prevented you from succeeding in classes during a particular semester, you and your counselor can discuss academic policies to consider.

The counselors are trained professionals to help students navigate career exploration and planning. Students are also encouraged to enroll in career exploration courses for a 3-credit elective.

Contact Us

Location
Educational Services (ES) 118
Phone
763-493-0554
Email
CARECenter@nhcc.edu

In person & virtual

Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Closed Saturday/Sunday

Campus Hours

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