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Personal Counseling Services

At Prairie State College, our Personal Counseling Services are designed to help with your well-being and academic success. 

At Prairie State College, our Personal Counseling Services are designed to help with your well-being and academic success. We help with psychological, social, and emotional issues through short-term counseling. Referrals for long-term support are provided as needed.

Please contact Shannon Word at sword@prairiestate.edu to inquire about on-campus counseling services.

On-Campus Counseling - Shannon Word

Virtual Counseling

 

Personal Counseling Contact:

Shannon Word, NCC, LCPC
Personal Counselor
sword@prairiestate.edu
708-709-3511

If you are experencing an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

We’re here to help.

  • Vital Resources – We offer support if you need essential resources – food, clothing, housing, help with daycare, and more.
  • Academic Support – We help you overcome test anxiety, develop stress management skills, strengthen study habits, and more.
  • Success Counseling - Workshops and educational activities are offered to equip students with tools to ensure success in the classroom.
  • Virtual Check In - We offer a virtual option to check in on your mental wellbeing.

Personal Counseling Resources

 

(800) 662-4357

https://www.mhagcusa.org/service-providers-directory/crisis-hotlines.html

If you need immediate assistance, visit the link above to access a directory of various crisis hotlines.


Text HOME to 741741

Provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.

https://www.crisistextline.org/about-us/

 


Dial 9-8-8

https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol/


1 (800) 799-SAFE (7233)

Available 24/7, The Hotline has highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages. The hotline’s expert advocates also provide essential tools and support, such as creating safety plans to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

https://www.thehotline.org/

 


(800) 656-4673

https://www.rainn.org/

 


Dial 9-8-8

https://988lifeline.org/


For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711, then 9-8-8

https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol/

 


(800) 273-8255 

Provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/


(800) 662-4357

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

 


TalkCampus encourages and celebrates the power of human connection by building safe online communities worldwide. Download TalkCampus today to connect with other students in a non-judgmental environment, 24/7.

More Information.


 Addictions

 South Suburban Council for Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, 1909 Checker Avenue, Hazel Crest / 708.647.3333 

Haymarket Center (Chemical Dependence Treatment Programs) / http://www.hcenter.org. / 312.226.7984

 Rosecrance Adolescent Substance Abuse, Frankfort, IL / 815.391.1000 

Adult Literacy Services

Adult Literacy @ Prairie State College
Nikisha Brown / 708.709.3724 / nbrown1@prairiestate.edu

Cancer Support

708.798.9171 / Cancersupportcenter.org
 

Career Services / Unemployment Support

National Able / 708.709.7970 / chghts@nationalable.org
IDES / 708.709.7970 / chghts@nationalable.org

Charities

Catholic Charities (non-denominational) / 312.655.7459 (Spanish) / 708.333.8379 / 877.426.6515
 
Childcare
 
Catholic Charities (non-denominational) / 312.655.7459 (Spanish) / 708.333.8379 / 877.426.6515
 
Childcare and Assistance
 
Action for Children Child Care Resource and Referral / http://www.actforchilcren.org
Illinois All Kids Insurance Program / https://allkidscovered.com
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) / https://www.womeninfantschildrenoffice.com/Illinois-wic-application-wa
 
Counseling
 
Access Psychological Services, South Holland, IL (assessments, individual, couple and family therapy, anger management, bereavement, etc. Medicaid accepted and sliding fee scale) / 708.825.1986 / http://www.ctfillinois.org/what_we_do/access-psychological-services.html
Governors State University (individual, group, family), University Park, IL / 708.534.4545 / 708.444.1012 
Grand Prairie Services (individual and family counseling , sliding fee scale ) / 708.444.1012 (various locations) / gpsbh.org
Sertoma at The Living Room, Matteson, IL (provides FREE counseling from 4-8 pm) / 708.748.1951 / https://sertomacentre.org/services
Ingalls Memorial Drive / 708.333.2300 / ingalls.org/behavioral-health.aspx
Sertoma Center / 708.478.1951
 
Clothing (emergency need)
 
Respond Now / 708.755.4357
PSC Student Career Development Center / 708.709.3755 
 
Childcare and Assistance
 
Action for Children Child Care Resource and Referral / http://www.actforchilcren.org
Illinois All Kids Insurance Program / https://allkidscovered.com
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) / https://www.womeninfantschildrenoffice.com/Illinois-wic-application-wa13
 
Dating Violence
 
South Suburban Family Shelter (domestic violence) / 708.798.7737
South Suburban YWCA (therapeutic help and advocacy for sexual assault ) / 708.754.0486
 
Dental
 
Aunt Martha’s / 877.692.8686
Prairie State College Dental Hygiene Clinic / 708.709.3707 
 
Access and Disability Services
 
Prairie State College / Shelley Tekeste / 708.709.3603 / stekeste@prairiestate.edu
Vocational Rehabilitation / South Suburban Cook County American Job Center @ PSC 708.709.7970 
 
Displaced Workers
 
National Able / South Suburban Cook County American Job Center @ PSC / 708.709.7970 
 
Domestic Violence
 
Crisis Center for South Suburbia / 708.429.7233 (English and Spanish) /708.429.7255
South Suburban Family Shelter / 708.335.3028 (English and Spanish hotline) 
 
Emergency Assistance
 
Catholic Charities, South Suburban Region, 16100 Seton Drive, South Holland, IL / 708.333.8379
Jones Center, Chicago Heights, IL / 708.755.4357 / www.respondnow.org
Greater Chicago Food Depository Agency / https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org
Respond Now, Chicago Heights, IL / 708.755.HLP / www.respondnow.org
 
Employment/Career Services
 
Chicago Heights Park District Job Fair (yearly), 1400 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL
National Able / South Suburban Cook County American Job Center @ PSC / 708.709.7970 / chghts@nationalable.org
 
Food Pantries
 
Bloom Township Office (must be a Bloom Township resident) / 708.754.9400, 425 S. Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL / M 3-7 pm/W 10-2 pm
Chicago Heights Park District (every 4th of the month @ 9 am), 1400 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL / 708.755.1351
Emmanuel Church (every 2nd Wednesday 4-6 pm), 22515 Torrence Avenue, Sauk Villiage, IL / Contact: Ted Young 708.758.3343
Greater Chicago Food Depository (search by zip code) / https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food
New Zion/BOOC Joseph Store HS, 14200 Chicago Road, Dolton, IL / M 11-1 pm, S 10-1 pm / Contact: Mary Wood 708.849.6904
Respond Now, 1439 Emerald Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL / M/F 10-5 pm / W 10-7 pm / 708.755.HELP
St. Irenaeus, 207 S. Orchard Park, Sauk Village, IL / M 10-12 pm / 708.748.6891
 
Grief and Loss
 
Centre for New Beginnings / 708.503.9670 ext. 8432
 
Homeless Shelter
 
PADS / 708.754.4357 South Suburban Family Shelter / 708.2831421
 
Hotline Numbers
 
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline / 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
National Sexual Assault Hotline / 1.800.656.HOPE (4673) 
 
Housing
 
Heartland Alliance / 312.660.1300 / https://www.heartlandalliance.org/heartland-housing
Housing Authority of Cook County / https://thehacc.org
South Suburban PADS (emergency) / 708.332.7700 / http://www.sspads.org
 
Immigration Services
 
Communidad En Accion, 202 S. Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL / TH 6-8 pm / Contact: Lorena Varela 708.510.8989 / https://ceadeil.wixsite.com/ceadeil
Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights (ICIRIR), 228 S. Wabash Avenue, Suite 800, Chicago, IL / 312.332.7360 Visa Services (TBD)
 
Legal
 
Chicago Legal Clinic Pro Bono Program / 773.731.1662 / http://www.clclaw.org
Illinois Legal Aid / 312.977.9047
Legal Assistance Foundation / 312.271.4950 / 312.341.1070
 
Medical Services
 
Access Family Health, 152 W. Lincoln Highway, Chicago Heights, IL / Offers sliding scale with proof of income – Medicaid application assistance at clinic / 708.754.9687
Aunt Martha’s Community Health Center, 1536 Vincennes Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL / Offers sliding scale with proof of income – Medicaid application assistance at clinic / 877.692.8686
Aunt Martha’s Women’s Health Clinic, 233 Joe Orr Road, Chicago Heights, IL / Offers sliding scale with proof of income – Medicaid application assistance at clinic / 877.692.8686
Aunt Martha’s Pediatric Health and Wellness Center, 500 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights, IL / Offers sliding scale with proof of income – Medicaid application assistance at clinic / 877.692.8686 
 
Reentry Services
 
Reentry Services GEO Group / 708.754.6980
 
Reentry Services
 
GEO Group / 708.754.6980
 
Rental Assistance
 
Catholic Charities (non-denominational) / 312.655.7459 (Spanish) / 708.333.8379 / 877.426.6515
 
Substance Abuse
 
Aunt Martha’s / 877.692.8686
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recover @ Ingalls Health System / 800.522.3784
South Suburban Council (telephone screening required) / 708.647.3333 
 
Suicide Prevention
 
Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS) / 800.345.9049 or Crisis Referral Entry Services (CARES) Sertoma Centre / 708.748.1951
 
Transportation
 
Chicago Heights Park District, 1400 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL / Dial-a-Ride Service Days: M-F 8-3 pm / Reservation: Call 24 hours in advance / Cost: $2:00 / Eligibility: Age 55 or older, disabled with some restrictions / 708.755.1351
Pace (suburban bus system) / 847.364.7000
RTA (route for public transportation) / 708.836.7000 
 
Utility Bills/Weatherization Programs
 
CEDA (Community of Economic Development Assoc. of Cook County) / 800.571.2332 / 708.754.4575
Respond Now (food, shelter, utility assistance) / 708.332.0100 Blue Island / 219.838.0380 Munster 
 
 
 
 

Your mental health matters. Take a quick, easy, confidential screening with information regarding free resources in addition to on-campus and community services.