In the midst of this unspeakable tragedy, many members of the University of Idaho community may find themselves in need of mental health resources and a space to talk and process their emotions. The Counseling and Testing Center located in Mary Forney Hall provides a wide range of professional counseling services for UI students, faculty and staff who are in need of help.
As the campus and Moscow community grieve the loss of the four UI students killed on Sunday, Nov. 13, there will understandably be mental health issues that arise as well as fear for safety while on campus. The CTC hopes to provide a space for those impacted to talk and seek help.
Gregory Lambeth, executive director of counseling access and testing, said that the CTC has been working hard to bring much-needed resources to the entirety of the Moscow community during this time.
“We have been providing support for students, faculty, staff and the community as well,” Lambeth said. “The impacts of an incident like this extend everywhere.”
The CTC responded to the news of the tragedy by working to make counseling services adaptable and accessible to students and UI community members in need. They have been hosting drop-in counseling services in the ISUB and the office is open for anyone to come by and get help, no appointment needed. This drop-in counseling will be available Monday through Wednesday next week and will continue after fall break.
“Anybody can walk in, students, faculty, staff and say they’d like to talk with somebody,” Lambeth said. “They don’t have to be a client of the center which means they don’t fill out paperwork, they’re just here to talk and receive support.”
In the past week, the CTC has provided support and resources to classrooms across campus, Greek houses and Moscow businesses in hopes of reaching those in need of help. They are willing to meet those impacted where they are at, meeting outside of the CTC office is not out of the question.
“We will try and accommodate requests for us to meet with a group in their own space,” Lambeth said. “Our goal is just to be as helpful in as many ways as we can be.”
For anyone in need of help outside of the CTC’s office hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, there is an after-hours crisis line available to call at 208-885-6716.
“Students have access to mental health resources 24/7,” Lambeth said. “If they’re here on the Moscow campus right now or if they’re in Boise or Coeur d’Alene even Seattle or Portland. It doesn’t matter. They have access to 24-hour counseling right now.”
The CTC also provides telehealth services for those unable to go to the office in person, where UI community members can see a counselor over Zoom. This is especially valuable as many students have left campus or do not feel comfortable leaving their homes, so there is still help available for them.
“We have students right now that have gone home and we can still talk to them if they want to reach out.” Lambeth said.
It is common to feel intimidated by the idea of seeking counseling and mental health help. Lambeth said that reaching out is often the hardest step and if students feel more comfortable contacting the center via email rather than phone or in person, the email to contact is [email protected].
“We will meet students where they are at as best we can,” Lambeth said. “Our priority right now is making adjustments to make sure we’re as available as we can be.”
In such uncertain and tragic times, it is more important than ever to find a sense of community and a place to feel loved and heard, the CTC hopes to provide such a place.
“We’re just trying to create a space where people know that they’re cared about,” Lambeth said. “People should know that there’s places that they can come and talk.”
UI students, faculty and staff should know that they are welcome in the CTC and can seek the help they need no matter the cause. The UI community is stronger together and students, faculty and staff should not be afraid to reach out to get the help they need.
“We’ll see any student for any reason,” Lambeth said.
Their main focus at the moment is crisis response to this tragedy that has all of Moscow reeling, but the CTC is available year-round with free resources for the UI community and ongoing support for anyone in need. More information and a full list of the resources provided can be found on the CTC website.
Grace Giger can be reached at [email protected]