Meaningful Monday
A Special Message About the Current Events in Our Country Over the Last Month – A Word from Counseling Services
We apologize for taking you away from your regularly scheduled Meaningful Monday this week, but we wanted to take some time to address some distressing events that have occurred over the last few weeks within our nation. While we hope that our usual Meaningful Monday postings have been helpful for students, faculty, and staff to help provide some motivation or connection for the weeks ahead, it would not feel congruent or genuine to follow that same pattern this week as our country has faced yet another tragedy.
For those that are not aware, over the last month, wildfires due to high winds and long droughts have stretched for 45 square miles across the highly populated Los Angeles County. Most significantly, the major fires of the Palisades and Eaton Fires have resulted in tens of thousands of residents forced to evacuate their homes as these fires have destroyed over 16,000 structures, and tragically, 29 individuals have died as these wildfires continue to spread. (These statistics have been pulled from an ABC News article.)
Then, just on Wednesday night, an American Airlines aircraft departing from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, minutes from their arrival to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. collided with a Black Hawk Helicopter, carrying three military personnel. This collision caused an immediate explosion with both vehicles falling into the Potomac River. No survivors were found from the courageous efforts of many search and rescue crews.
We at Counseling Services want to express our deepest, sincerest sympathies for all of those lives lost in these tragic events. If any student has been directly impacted by either of these tragedies, please know there are resources and supports available to you. Even for those that have not been directly affected, we understand that these events can still be incredibly challenging to process. We are more than willing to help with any difficulties or hardships that these events may have caused.
First of all, any student is welcome to make an appointment with Counseling Services. Our office is available for appointments Monday – Friday starting at 9 a.m., with our last session being scheduled at 3 p.m. You may call us at (518) 629-7320, email us at counseling@hvcc.edu or stop in at Siek Campus Center, room 260, to schedule an appointment.
Secondly, there is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can access the Lifeline by calling or texting 988, as well as chatting through chat.988lifeline.org. With this resource, you will be connected to a trained behavioral health crisis counselor who will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide personal support, and get you the help you need. This lifeline is available if you personally are struggling with any mental health concerns, dealing with emotional distress, a substance use issue, or just need someone to talk to. The 988 Lifeline is also available if you are someone that is concerned about a loved one in your life. Counselors are able to provide support in these instances as well.
For more information on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, please visit their website: 988lifeline.org. Remember, if you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is there for you. You are not alone.
Finally, for staff and faculty affected by these tragedies, there are resources and support for you as well. Personal and psychological counseling services are restricted to registered students. However, employees who have concerns about their own or a loved one’s personal/psychological well-being may utilize our office for consultation and/or referral information. Although we are not able to provide ongoing personal counseling, our staff will refer employees to other resources in the community, as needed.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to utilize the college’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential counseling and referral assistance. The program is run by Capital EAP, and their contact information is included below for your convenience.
650 Warren Street
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 465-3813
For more information about the college’s EAP, contact the Office of Human Resources at (518) 629-4552.
As a final note, we hope that everyone can take the time during this troubling period to engage in self-care and check in with your loved ones. And finally, remember to check in with each other within the campus community. We are all Vikings.
With deep care,
Counseling Services