UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Student Affairs reached out to all students at University Park to provide a reminder about resources available to students who may be struggling. The message, which came from Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, highlighted that Penn State is a caring community and that care and support can be found all around us.
“If you are suffering or know someone who is, do not hesitate to let others know. Reach out to a staff or faculty member familiar to you, talk to a friend, and seek the services available to support you through whatever the challenge may be. All of us share the opportunity to be part of a caring community. All it takes is a willingness to speak, to listen, to hear, to empathize, and to be open to the support required,” said Sims.
Students are encouraged to call 911 or contact the Penn State Crisis line at 1-877-229-6400 for immediate assistance. Other resources that are available include:
- Counseling and Psychological Services can respond to any emotional and psychological needs that so often arise in such moments. More information about their services is found at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/.
- Student Care and Advocacy supports students in crisis and can help connect you to various resources that offer a range of support. Please do not hesitate to visit their site https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/studentcare or reach out to them at 814-863-2020, or at StudentCare@psu.edu.
Students can also find a variety of resources and programming to support mental health, as well as crisis resources and wellness strategies in the Penn State News story that was run at the beginning of the semester. Student can always access health and wellness information on the Student Affairs website.
“Already this school year, students at Penn State have ended their lives in response to pain and distress, and others have considered doing so. This is my plea to all of us to extend the reach of our care for one another by doing whatever we can to seek help and to provide it when we can. Penn State is a community that cares. We are prepared to help. Let’s all give one another the support we need,” said Sims.