University Times

To the campus community:

We have all been impacted by the recent tragic events at Virginia Tech. I would like to encourage the Pitt community to continue to respond to these events in a reasonable and rational manner. Although there is no foolproof method to prevent homicidal or suicidal behavior, we all can learn and hopefully grow in our willingness to reach out to others.

As an urban campus Pitt is blessed with resources readily available if students, staff or faculty need and want mental health services. Let us remember that it is okay to react to a traumatic event but it is not usually helpful to overreact. If you have questions regarding a student’s mental status, the University Counseling Center staff stands ready and willing to consult with you. Please review our web site at www.counseling.pitt.edu to familiarize yourself with our services. You may want to pay particular attention to the Faculty & Staff Guide and Crisis Services links.

If you are concerned about the mental well-being of a faculty or staff member, call the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at 412/647-3327 or go to the FSAP Solution Center web site.

If you are concerned for your own safety, please call the campus police at 412/624-2121 or 811. The Counseling Center works closely with the police and they are very responsive.

Let us all work together to make the well-being of students, faculty and staff at Pitt a priority. In my opinion this would be a rational response to the irrational events we have been exposed to at Virginia Tech and those we may experience in our own lives.

James A. Cox

Director

University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center

*****

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