For many universities across the nation, the tragedy at Virginia Tech forced them to re-evaluate how they handle campus safety, particularly in regards to dealing with mental health.

Many departments here are trying to address such concerns. Counseling Services, however, has not felt the need to reassess its crisis plan in light of what happened with the Virginia Tech shooter, Seung-hui Cho, on April 16.

Should anything of that sort happen here at the Lake, outside resources would be utilized. “In case of a crisis, there is a list of counselors from St. Philips College that would help with the situation,” said Dr.
Rosa Espinoza, director of Counseling Services.

Espinoza said that she feels that the process would be able to work effectively. To avoid instances like Cho’s though, the key is to be proactive, she said. Outreach programs, she explains, help students recognize problems with mental health, and to seek out the assistance available on campus to deal with them.

A student will not be forced to seek help, however. “If a student felt forced to seek treatment, it would compromise confidentiality,” said clinical counselor Richard Keiholz.

Espinoza believes that the most difficult decision any counselor can make is when confidentiality needs to be broken. If something is mentioned in a session including sexual abuse, suicide or harming someone else, then the counselor would be obligated to report it to the police.

Out of the three members on staff, no one handles a crisis by themselves, she said. At times, it is handled as a team approach, and, if they are unable to further help a student, the student is then referred to off-campus services.

Espinoza admits that the department is a bit understaffed, since there’s been an increase in clients over the past five years. “If we had a full-time counselor and a part-time social worker, it would better help the needs with the students we serve,” she said.

Another issue that can arise is that some students may go untreated due to a lack of insurance. Espinoza said she looks forward to being able to raise funds with a new organization run by students. The result would co-sponsor one or two students’ medication.

“We’re trying to do a lot for the students,” she said.

For now, Espinoza continues her efforts in trying to raise students’ awareness of campus safety.

“Safety promotion needs to happen with the students,” she said. Active Minds @ OLLU will be the local chapter of a national organization that will help do away with the stigma surrounding mental illness by increasing awareness and education.