Counseling and Wellness Services
North Central Counseling and Wellness Services
Professional and confidential counseling provided at no cost to current students.
Check out this valuable resource for students at North Central! Licensed professional counseling staff can really make a difference in helping students handle stress and navigate challenges. By providing both short-term counseling and referrals, they offer a comprehensive approach to supporting students' academic and personal well-being. If you have specific issues or crises, reaching out to them could be a great first step towards finding resolution and improving your situation.
Informed Consent and Privacy Notice
Types of Appointments
There are two types of appointments. Both Individual and Let’s Talk sessions can be done in person, by phone or virtually.
Individual
Individual counseling sessions typically last between 45 to 50 minutes. These sessions provide a supportive environment where you can address concerns related to your mental and emotional wellbeing. During these meetings, you'll receive feedback, strategies, and support from a mental health professional, and work towards achieving goals related to your personalized wellness plan.
Let’s Talk
"Let’s Talk" meetings are a fantastic resource for students seeking quick, informal consultations with a counselor. They offer a low-pressure environment for students to:
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Explore Counseling: Understand how therapy works and what to expect, especially if they haven't been to a counselor before.
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Get Advice: Discuss specific issues or concerns and gain a counselor’s perspective without committing to long-term counseling.
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Receive Referrals: Get help with finding appropriate on-campus or off-campus resources tailored to their needs.
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Learn About Resources: Get information about different support options, whether they need immediate help or are considering future services.
Since these meetings are first-come, first-served, it’s important to manage expectations about wait times and availability. They're not for emergencies, so if a student is in urgent need of support, they should seek immediate help through emergency services or crisis resources.
To schedule an appointment with a North Central counselor call 231-348-6605 or log
in to your NCMC portal and:
- Click on the Appointments link;
- Select Mental Health Counseling.
Personal and confidential counseling services follow a short-term solution-focused model to address common concerns and best meet the needs of students. Appropriate referrals to counseling services include but are not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Mild to Moderate Depression
- Stress Management
- Test Anxiety
- Grief and Loss
- Family/Social Relationship Issues
- Self-Esteem/Body Image concerns
- Life Transitions
- Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
- Motivation
- Perfectionism
- Trauma
Frequently Asked Questions
No! This service is provided at no cost to any currently enrolled NCMC student (including
students in our Fast Track programs).
You may drop in during Let’s Talk appointment times as described above. These are
15-20 min consultation appts.
Usually due to scheduling, it is best for these students to see the mental health provider located in their high school. Please feel free to reach out for a consultation if needed.
NCMC Wellness Ideas:
- Make an appointment to spend time in the Zen Den.
- Checked out our Gym and Fitness Center.
- Take a walk in the Natural Area.
- Explore the Library of Things in the Llibrary.
- Go to the Campus Cupboard if you need help obtaining food.
TimelyCare – FREE, 24/7 virtual care services for NCMC students.
North Central Michigan College students have FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare — the virtual health and well-being platform from TimelyCare, designed for college students. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. As part of North Central Michigan College’s partnership with TimelyCare, students have access to services in TimelyCare, including:
- MedicalNow: On-demand support for common health issues, including cold, flu, and allergies.
- TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.
- Scheduled Medical: Choose the day, time, and medical provider that best works for you.
- Scheduled Counseling: Choose the day, time, and mental health provider that works best for you. (12 visits per year)
- Health Coaching: Develop healthy lifestyle behaviors, including nutrition, sleep habits, time management, and mindfulness.
- Self-Care Content: Visit the Self-Care tab for 24/7 access to tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.
- Peer Community: An anonymous and judgment-free space where you can connect with, react to, and support other students going through similar situations.
Students have access to TimelyCare services 365 days a year. That means you have access during breaks, after-hours, and any time you need support!
Visit timelycare.com/NCMich to get started.
Referrals to Other College and Community Resources
There may be times when a student’s needs cannot be met by our services at NCMC Counseling and Wellness. In that case, we will work with the student to make a referral to another college department or community resource.
When to Refer Students:
- External Counseling: Students are already receiving counseling from another provider.
- Frequency Needs: Students need more frequent sessions than we can offer (e.g., more than weekly).
- Treatment Model: Short-term treatment would not be appropriate or effective for their issues.
- Severe Issues: Chronic/severe suicidality, severe self-injury, multiple psychiatric hospitalizations.
- Deterioration Risk: Evidence of worsening mental or emotional functioning requiring intensive intervention, including active psychotic symptoms.
- Substance Abuse: Significant drug or alcohol problems needing long-term or inpatient treatment.
- Persistent Mental Illness: Severe mental illness requiring medication management.
- Legal or Documentation Needs: Seeking documentation for court-mandated treatment, legal proceedings, disability support, or ESA documentation.
- Non-enrolled Students: Not currently enrolled in courses.
Not sure? Start with us – we’ll guide you to the right resource!
Additional Resources and Assistance
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please dial 911 or go to your local emergency department.
North Country Community Mental Health:
http://www.norcocmh.org/
Crisis Help Line: 877-470-4668
National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
Call or text 988
Chat: 988lifeline.org
Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan
Call: 231347-0082 or 1-800-275-1995 for 24 hour Help and Information Line
www.wrcnm.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
Call: 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673)
Chat: https://hotline.rainn.org/online
Español: https://hotline.rainn.org/es
National Helpline for Men Who Were Sexually Abused or Assaulted:
Chat: https://supportgroup.1in6.org/
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
Call: 800-799-7233
Text*: START to 88788
TTY: 800-787-3224
Chat: https://thehotline.org
StrongHearts Native Helpline (Domestic, dating and sexual violence support for Native
Americans):
844-7NATIVE (844-762-8483)
Chat: https://strongheartshelpline.org
National Human Trafficking Hotline:
Call: 888-373-7888
Text*: 233733
Chat: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/chat
love is respect (Dating abuse):
Call: 866-331-9474
Text*: LOVEIS to 22522