Counseling centers available to facilitate grieving process
Duncan Vick , CT Features Staff
April 17, 2007
When tragedy strikes a community as large as Virginia Tech, its devastating effects can be far-reaching. Each and every member of the Virginia Tech community shares in some way the pain caused from the attacks Monday morning. In light of Monday's events, several counseling centers were made available to Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff who wish to speak with counselors about the events that unfolded on Monday.
In addition, Tuesday at 2 p.m. a convocation will be held at Cassell Coliseum open to the entire Virginia Tech community. It will be the first chance for the community to come together and begin to deal with Monday's tragedy. The SGA is also holding a vigil for the victims Tuesday night at 8 p.m. on the Drillfield.
As the horrific events that transpired this morning begin to sink in for the Blacksburg community, some believe Tuesday may be too early for a memorial service. Katie McWilliam, a junior communication major, feels that the best remedy for the damage of Monday's events will be time.
"It's good that they are having a convocation, but it may be a little too soon. People need time to let what happened sink in. I know for me, personally, it hasn't sunk in yet. I need to go back to campus and kind of walk around and absorb what has happened, because I have not yet come to terms with what happened today."
"It's important to spend time with the Virginia Tech community and in time attend public events dedicated to the memory of today's tragedy." McWilliam said.
Individuals deal with traumatic events differently, however, and for some students the time to begin the healing process is now. Mark Wieder, a junior finance major, agrees that counseling centers are essential to healing, and says he is ready to begin coping with Monday's tragedy as soon as possible.
"Everyone deals with difficult issues in different ways, and I think it is good that the university is offering counseling for the students out there that want it. I'll definitely be at the convocation. I'll certainly want to support my school and the town of Blacksburg. The sooner you start the healing process the better," stated Wieder.
The Cook Counseling Center is located in 240 McComas Hall and is available for all Virginia Tech students. In a press conference held at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, university President Charles Steger announced that counseling centers would open immediately in West Ambler-Johnson Hall and The Inn at Virginia Tech in order to, as Dr. Steger stated, "work with the campus community and their families." The Inn at Virginia Tech is also the location for parents to meet up with or find information about their students.
For questions about counseling centers on campus, the university requests that you call the Dean of Students Office at (540) 231-3787.