While the Virginia Tech community struggles to rationalize the deaths of 33 people on its campus, VCU students and faculty are trying to come to terms with the tragedy, as well.
Jihad Aziz, acting director of University Counseling Services, said talking about the incident is the best way to alleviate distressed feelings.
“For the most part, it’s really about finding someone to sit down and talk about what you’re feeling, given this particular incident,” Aziz said.
UCS and Odyssey Healthcare, a local hospice organization, are providing special services for the remainder of the week. Counselors will have a “Talk About It” table set up today and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. in the University Student Commons. Those who need counseling services in light of the Tech killings will be escorted to the UCS office upstairs. Leticia Flores, assistant professor of psychology and director of the Center for Psychological Services and Development, said social support can ease anxiety and safety fears – symptoms to be expected after a large-scale crisis.
University Counseling Services
Monroe Park Campus
University Student Commons, Room 228
828-6200
Medical Center Campus
1008 E. Clay St. (Grant House BO11)
828-3964
She also said students should remember the rampage that occurred at Tech was an isolated event.
“Ninety-nine percent of people, when they’re upset, when they’re disgruntled, when they’re mad – they don’t act this way,” Flores said.
Stephen Danish, professor of psychology, said care providers should keep in mind that emotional responses to trauma vary from person to person. At VCU, he said, individuals who know students or faculty at Tech or have ties to Blacksburg might react more strongly than those who do not.
Tips from Mental Health America
- Develop a personal plan to ensure your safety in a similar situation.
- Use reliable sources to stay up-to-date on developments and information.
- Limit television viewing. It can be diffi cult to process images and messages in news reports.
- A range of emotions, from depression, anxiousness, anger and ‘numbness.’ is normal following tragic events.
- If you feel depressed, anxious or angry, talk to friends, family, ministers or others around you. Likely, those around you are experiencing similar feelings.
“You’re not going to be able to find some sort of step-by-step process that people are going to go through,” Danish said. “More important than trying to find some sort of process that people are going to go through, I think we need to think about each of these people as a unique person who’s going to experience this process differently.”
“For the most part, it’s really about finding someone to sit down and talk about what you’re feeling, given this particular incident.” – Jihad Aziz, acting director, VCU University Counseling Services