Student Health Information

Student Health Services

Student Health Services (SHS) is a primary care facility at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Services are available for all students regardless of insurance coverage. The office is staffed by a registered nurse and a master’s prepared nurse practitioner who functions as an advanced practice clinician in collaboration with a physician. Diagnosis and management of common illnesses and injuries, as well as, prescriptive authority is within the scope of advance practice nurses. Preventative medicine such as women’s health care, immunizations, nutrition and diet information, and laboratory testing are available. SHS also provides educational programs throughout the academic year and is available to assist students with wellness or other informational workshops.

The nurse and nurse practitioner are available Monday through Friday by appointment and on a walk-in basis in emergency situations. The physician is on site approximately two hours per week. All services through SHS are available by appointment as often as needed without a co-pay. Some services may require fee. Appointments may be scheduled online or by calling (312) 567-7550.

Student Health Insurance

All students registered for at least 12 credit hours are automatically enrolled in and billed for student health insurance.

Domestic students may waive health insurance coverage if the student presents evidence of other health insurance coverage that provides benefits equal to or greater than the Student Health Insurance Plan. Students must present evidence of coverage and complete a waiver form by the waiver deadline. All full-time and part-time J-1 and F-1 international students are automatically enrolled in student health insurance and required to keep the IIT health insurance plan.

Waiver forms are available. The deadlines for waiving insurance coverage are September 1, 2011 for the fall semester and January 6, 2012 for the spring semester.

If you have not already received confirmation from Aetna Student Health, you can check to see if you are enrolled by confirming that your account has been charged for insurance. Students can check their account online through Web for Students or call the IIT Student Health Services at (312) 567-7550. For more information regarding immunization requirements and other health services at IIT please visit Student Health.

Student Counseling Services

Student Counseling Services is located next to Student Health Services in the IITRI Tower on 35th and State Street. We provide psychological services to IIT students. Our clinical services include evaluation, brief psychotherapy, referral, and medication management. We assist students with many issues including loneliness, relationship concerns, family issues, depression, anxiety, concentration problems, sleeping difficulties, eating problems, addiction, career concerns, grieving, sexual concerns, anger management, cultural adjustment, and other personal issues.

Sessions typically begin by assessing a student’s needs and then offering recommendations which may include meeting a counseling services therapist on a regular basis, meeting our psychiatrist for a medication evaluation, and/or a referral to a nearby mental health professional. We make a treatment plan in collaboration with each student to best meet his or her needs.

Clinical Services are CONFIDENTIAL. Information communicated to IIT counselors will not be disclosed to anyone outside Counseling Services without written consent from the student. There are rare exceptions to this policy, such as when a therapist has concerns an individual is at risk of seriously hurting him/herself or someone else.

There is no charge for therapy services, although there is a fee (usually covered by health insurance) for appointments with our psychiatrist and for medication. Student Counseling Services follows the ethical and professional standards of the American Psychological Association.

In addition to individual appointments, the Counseling Center also offers outreach programs to IIT students. Outreach includes workshops on topics such as stress management, time management, and overcoming test anxiety, etc.

Student Counseling Services provides consultation to staff, faculty and parents of IIT students who may be concerned about a student’s welfare. Finally, the Student Counseling Services collaborates with other university departments to improve student well-being at IIT.

For students who have been receiving continuous mental health treatment prior to attending college, continuation of treatment is usually a good idea.  Our Counseling staff is happy to speak with parents about this or other issues.

While Illinois mental health confidentiality laws may prevent us from telling you if we are providing treatment to your student, we can always listen and help you come up with a plan to address any concerns you may have about his or her mental health. To learn more call us at 312.567.5900 or visit us at the counseling center