Students Share Conflicting Views Over ICC’s Suicide Prevention Week Efforts

*Editor’s note: The director of Counseling Services, Brook Poling has responded to students’ concerns of confidentiality. She states that what is talked about in counseling is private and confidential and will not be shared with professors or tied to academic records. Poling said, “The only times we are going to share anything with others would be if we’re concerned if there is an immediate safety risk. Whether that’s for the student themselves or for somebody else.” Counseling also must report child and elder abuse.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and ICC’s library and counseling services are trying to reach out to students to provide help, but some students still feel wary.

Counseling services at ICC recently held an event titled “Life is Sweeter with You in It” to raise awareness for suicide prevention week (Sept. 8-14) where students could grab muffins, donuts, and other snacks to bring awareness of how sweet life is. 

Daniel Ware, an ICC student, said that he had been unaware of the event but “always likes free food” and thought more events would be good. Another student also expressed concerns about not knowing of the event and suggested more promotion could be done.

However, several other students disagreed and stated that ICC was how they learned about Suicide Prevention Week. Together, student library assistants Omar Sarhan and Kate Vonnordheim expressed positive opinions toward the efforts of ICC.

“I did not know it was suicide prevention week or month until I came in and they (library staff) told me. So they did inform me about that.” Sarhan said, commenting on ICC’s efforts to provide awareness.

Vonnordheim agreed and said, “I also didn’t have any idea until ICC started promoting it because of all the library stuff” 

However, the two did share some concerns about the counseling services. 

“If I really needed help I guess I would feel comfortable if it was confidential.” Sarhan said, 

Vonnordheim then added, “I’m aware it exists and I can go to it, but I don’t know if I would go to it because I don’t fully understand the confidentiality thing. I don’t know what gets shared and what doesn’t”.

The “library stuff” referred to by Vonnordheim earlier is the library’s attempts at raising awareness for suicide prevention week.

The library has decided to raise awareness of the new suicide prevention hotline number, “988”. The library now hosts a table dedicated to students to allow them to paint old phones with the new number and positive affirmations.

This event has also received praise from students not affiliated with the library. One student described the event as “creative” and said it was “a good way to bring awareness and a way to be interactive”. However, another student disagreed and said that, although it was an important resource, a sign displaying a number seemed ineffective for someone dealing with something heavy. 

Luckily, ICC provides in-person counseling services for students who are in need.

Students shared positive reviews of the counseling services, one student saying how they have heard from others that they are “really good”.

Returning freshman Sean Rinaldo shared what he has heard from others who have gone to counseling, “I have it on good authority from my sister who went here that the counseling office does do great work” Rinaldo said, “I have not personally seen them yet, I do have their card, but it’s never a bad idea to give it a try”.

Finally, Natalie Bashusen, a first-year student majoring in theater, commented saying, “I think it is very important for college students and kids our age to have these services that we could reach out to.” 

Katelyn Kornafel from counseling services shared some advice and information for students who may be shy about the first visit to counseling.

Counseling services provides an open door policy for students whenever needed and provides online services for students not yet ready or unable to see someone in person. BetterMynd, a free counseling service, is also available online for students. It even allows students to select counselors based on preferences such as LGBTQ+, race, or language. 

Peer Support is also provided. These are trained students who can offer basic mental health support and work with the counselors at ICC. Peer support is available for drop-in or scheduled appointments.

Suicide Prevention Week may be over, however, the entirety of September is national Suicide Prevention Month. Counseling services and more can be found here. If you are having a crisis, or looking for more support, more support can be found here.