Spring Break
Psychological help available
Hanan Salem and Daniel Vasilchuk
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: News
In light of the violence that took place Oct. 21, many students are now dealing with the death of a classmate, friend or roommate. For these students, there are many ways of coping with the psychological stress from the incident.
Susan Ko, clinical psychologist from the Psychological Counseling Services at the Student Health Center, said the typical reactions to the death of Scott Hawkins include an inability to concentrate, loss of focus, irritation and trouble sleeping.
Ko said counselors are available to talk to students for any reason.
"Sometimes at times like these people get glued to the TV or to the latest news trying to get as much information on it as possible, but that may just increase anxiety. They should take a break and try to stick to their normal routine," Ko said.
Ko also said students that decide to go into counseling may suffer survivor's guilt.
"Sometimes there is this feeling of their world being turned upside down. That can paralyze people and make them feel like they can't do anything," Ko said.
Christopher Valle, junior criminal justice major who lives in the American River Courtyard, said he did not know how to react to what happened.
"This is something I'm going to have to remember. (It) could have happened anywhere, but it happened here," Valle said.
Ko said students who live in the Courtyard might have a more personal connection to the incident and being there could induce more stress.
Laurie Bisset-Grady, interim associate director of the Student Health Center, said the center offers counseling services as well as grief groups to help with the stress. In addition to these services, the Health Center also offers medical help in case a mental issue is causing a physical problem such as a headache or a backache.
Hanan Salem and Daniel Vasilchuk can be reached at news@statehornet.com.
Susan Ko, clinical psychologist from the Psychological Counseling Services at the Student Health Center, said the typical reactions to the death of Scott Hawkins include an inability to concentrate, loss of focus, irritation and trouble sleeping.
Ko said counselors are available to talk to students for any reason.
"Sometimes at times like these people get glued to the TV or to the latest news trying to get as much information on it as possible, but that may just increase anxiety. They should take a break and try to stick to their normal routine," Ko said.
Ko also said students that decide to go into counseling may suffer survivor's guilt.
"Sometimes there is this feeling of their world being turned upside down. That can paralyze people and make them feel like they can't do anything," Ko said.
Christopher Valle, junior criminal justice major who lives in the American River Courtyard, said he did not know how to react to what happened.
"This is something I'm going to have to remember. (It) could have happened anywhere, but it happened here," Valle said.
Ko said students who live in the Courtyard might have a more personal connection to the incident and being there could induce more stress.
Laurie Bisset-Grady, interim associate director of the Student Health Center, said the center offers counseling services as well as grief groups to help with the stress. In addition to these services, the Health Center also offers medical help in case a mental issue is causing a physical problem such as a headache or a backache.
Hanan Salem and Daniel Vasilchuk can be reached at news@statehornet.com.
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