Suicide Prevention: You are not alone

Trainings throughout the semester

Many people suffer from depression and/or suicidal thoughts.

All Texas A&M Kings- ville University students were sent an email that included information, along with a video with the warning signs that you may notice in some- one who is struggling. The video also shows ways you can reach out to the person who is in distress.

There are many re- sources on campus that can help anyone who may be struggling.

Student Health and Wellness is equipped in many ways to help strug- gling students including free counseling services. Dr. Renee Weiss is the director of counsel- ing services at Student Health and Wellness and said there is help for all students.

“Counseling services offers a wide range of free and confidential personal, psychological, academic, and career services to currently enrolled students at the main campus, as well as in Weslaco, Harlingen, RELLIS, online, and at dual enrollment sites”

Weiss said.
“In addition to indi-

vidual and group coun- seling, we offer inclusive student-centered pro- gramming on topics re- lating to personal growth and development as well as crisis management and referral. Clinical assessment(s) and/or screening(s) may be ad- ministered by counsel-ing services to optimize treatment planning. All counseling sessions are confidential to the full limits provided by the law. There is no set lim- it or requirement to the number of sessions that one may attend.”

Alma Perez is a senior at TAMUK and finds that the counseling ser- vices are very useful.

“I do know about the resources on cam- pus. I actually attend counseling every two weeks. I’ve been using the school’s counseling center for two semesters now and it truly helps,” Perez said.

There are also six dif- ferent counselors on campus to be able to as- sist students.

Students can select who they want and choose who they feel will best fit their needs.

Junior Raina Zaffar is also aware of the coun- seling services that are available on campus.

“I think TAMUK is doing the best it can to help their students. As time goes by things are only getting better. A lot has improved since my freshman year. I’m a ju- nior now” Zaffar said.

Dr. Weiss wanted to remind students that there is hope. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help, she advises.

Students are encour- aged to attend an on- line one-hour training course. This will help students learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope, and know how to get help to save a life.