Spring Break
Counseling Center offers many resources for students
Megan Henderson
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: News
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After the shooting at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech.), many colleges across the country reevaluated their resources for awareness and ability to reach troubled students. The Counseling Center at UMKC is no different.
Marita Barkis, director of the Counseling Center, said UMKC has taken various measures to raise awareness among students and faculty. The Counseling Center's Web site has a brochure for faculty and staff that educates them on recognizing signs of a problem and detailing the appropriate actions to take.
Barkis said across all University of Missouri campuses, there is a campaign to teach students to help each other and be more alert to problems.
Students should watch for radically changing behavior in their friends or peers, Barkis said. She also stressed the importance of telling someone else about concerns and not trying to handle it alone.
"Talk to the friend, suggest they need counseling," she said. "Don't be afraid to ask."
Two years ago, 1,000 UMKC students took surveys about suicidal thoughts as part of a national program. According to Barkis, of the students surveyed, those who reported suicidal thoughts also said the person they would most likely talk to was a friend.
"[T]he first line people who need to know what to do are friends," Barkis said.
UMKC also has a case management team to discuss students of concern, made up of police, Residential Life and the Student Health and Wellness Center.
"We already had [this team]," Barkis said. "We are looking at how we can [make] it better."
Among the services offered are individual and couples counseling. These confidential sessions begin with an intake appointment - a 45-minute session with a therapist to discuss initial concerns. Then, based on schedules and types of concerns, the person or couple is assigned a therapist. Students, faculty and staff are allowed eight free sessions. Each additional session is $15.
Marita Barkis, director of the Counseling Center, said UMKC has taken various measures to raise awareness among students and faculty. The Counseling Center's Web site has a brochure for faculty and staff that educates them on recognizing signs of a problem and detailing the appropriate actions to take.
Barkis said across all University of Missouri campuses, there is a campaign to teach students to help each other and be more alert to problems.
Students should watch for radically changing behavior in their friends or peers, Barkis said. She also stressed the importance of telling someone else about concerns and not trying to handle it alone.
"Talk to the friend, suggest they need counseling," she said. "Don't be afraid to ask."
Two years ago, 1,000 UMKC students took surveys about suicidal thoughts as part of a national program. According to Barkis, of the students surveyed, those who reported suicidal thoughts also said the person they would most likely talk to was a friend.
"[T]he first line people who need to know what to do are friends," Barkis said.
UMKC also has a case management team to discuss students of concern, made up of police, Residential Life and the Student Health and Wellness Center.
"We already had [this team]," Barkis said. "We are looking at how we can [make] it better."
Among the services offered are individual and couples counseling. These confidential sessions begin with an intake appointment - a 45-minute session with a therapist to discuss initial concerns. Then, based on schedules and types of concerns, the person or couple is assigned a therapist. Students, faculty and staff are allowed eight free sessions. Each additional session is $15.
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