AMES, Iowa — Mental health resources are available year-round for Iowa State University staff and students. But university faculty emphasize that, in times like these, access to counseling is more important than ever.
On Thursday, June 2, ISU lost two students in a shooting outside Cornerstone Church in Ames. The church is one of many across the nation partnered with The Salt Company, a college ministry.
The day after the shooting, the ISU Counseling Center posted a statement expressing the importance of reaching out for help when needed.
Dr. Kristen Sievert, the clinical director for ISU's counseling center, said that there's been a greater need for mental health resources in the last decade.
In the wake of tragedy, Sievert and other mental health professionals have to adjust to meet the needs of the current situation. Fortunately, the community came together in order to make sure all bases were covered for providing help.
"We had the student organization on campus that is connected to Cornerstone Church reach out to us," Sievert said. "And we worked with them to do support a crisis debriefing for those students who are directly impacted."
Senior Vanessa Kapler believes the school has a good support system in place, even if she's never had to use it.
"What happened here at Iowa State was pretty tragic. And it's something that's just you don't really expect to happen," Kapler said. "And it's very unfortunate, and I'm glad that Iowa State can be of aid to those people."
For a list of resources available to faculty and students year-round, visit this link.