Today is recognized as 988 Day, but mental health services are available at Blackhawk Technical College every day.

988 Day was created in 2024 to raise awareness of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the continued need for behavioral health support. The 988 service is available 24/7, and you can call, text, or chat online.

Each year offers a different theme. The 2025 theme is “Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere,” which conveys the heart of what the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is all about—empathy, accessibility, and reliability. The more than 15,000 counselors working across the 988 network nationwide continue to help reduce barriers and stigma around seeking support for mental health challenges, substance use concerns, emotional distress, or loneliness.

At Blackhawk, students can contact Ann Forbeck, the Student Counseling and Case Manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Social Work. Forbeck started her career as a counselor with youth in residential treatment, then in special needs foster care, and finally spent many years as a school social worker. 

Students can schedule an appointment with Forbeck through Starfish, which can be accessed via the Stafish card in MyBTC. Forbeck is listed in the Success Network contacts list. While she does not offer mental health services, Forbeck can help solve problems and get students connected with campus and community resources and coping strategies.

Students can also access free online mental health counseling through BetterMynd. To use this service, log in to MyBTC and go to the Counseling and Case Management tile and click the link.

All counseling and case management services are free and available for all current students to assist in dealing with issues that impact their overall well-being. Through counseling and case management, current students can share problems in a safe and supportive space.

Questions regarding Blackhawk’s mental health services can be directed to (608) 757-7742 or counseling@blackhawk.edu.

988 Day was created to highlight how communities, organizations, and people supporting behavioral health are creating positive buzz around the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in their own fun and creative ways to raise awareness across the United States.