Richland Community College is receiving $120,000 from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to support student mental health services.
Currently, Richland is partnering with Memorial Behavioral Health to deliver in-person and/or telehealth counseling with a licensed professional, Joe Drew, MA, LPC. Students receive these services for free. Drew’s office is located on Richland’s campus at the Macon County Soil and Water Conservation Building (4004 E. College Park, Decatur, IL 62521). To schedule an appointment, call 217-876-4646.
The college also offers teletherapy through TimelyCare. Through either a mobile app or desktop, TimelyCare provides 24/7 access to virtual care from anywhere in the United States at no cost. It offers services like:
- TalkNow – 24/7, on-demand emotional support.
- Scheduled Counseling – Select the day, time, and mental health provider of your choice. (6 visits per year)
- Health Coaching – Support for developing healthy behaviors.
- Basic Needs Support – Get connected to low or reduced-cost community resources.
- Self-Care Content – Yoga and meditation sessions and group conversations with our providers on a variety of health and well-being topics.
In the coming year, Richland Community College is dedicated to using the funds to support and grow its mental health services.
Overall, the ICCB distributed $3.6 million to 32 community colleges in the state. The funding comes from the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act, which was established by state lawmakers in 2020 to improve mental health services for Illinois students.