Be a bit pushy, says Perry
Wesley Kirk, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: News
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Perry said many students and student groups have asked CAPS to lead them in a conversation or discussion on how students feel and how the loss is affecting them.
Perry said there is a possibility they will go back to Garden Park Apartments, where Love lived.
"We had staff members present at all of the events last week related to the death of April Love," Perry said. "We were able to make contact with people, but when you are in a situation like that you do not do counseling while they are standing on the floor. You more or less say 'Hi' to people and remind them that we are available in case they need us, and that in itself is very comforting."
To help other students, Perry requests that they "ask each other how they are doing, and be a tiny bit pushy."
"I think in our culture particularly, there is an expectation or perception that you shouldn't ask people how they are doing, or really seriously ask them how they are doing, because it is some how impolite, and implies that they are not all right...people will sometimes take that as an opportunity to talk, and may find this comforting."
CAPS is a service provided by the University Health Center, and all charges, excluding rare cases where outside psychiatrists are needed, are included in the university health fee. Perry, who joined CAPS in 1986, has been director of the service since 1991. Staff includes eight full time members, all of whom have graduate degrees in mental health professions, most are fully licensed to give metal health council or are in direct supervision. They are aided by two outside consultant psychiatrists who are state licensed. The Counseling and Psychological Services may be reached at 575-CAPS.
Perry said there is a possibility they will go back to Garden Park Apartments, where Love lived.
"We had staff members present at all of the events last week related to the death of April Love," Perry said. "We were able to make contact with people, but when you are in a situation like that you do not do counseling while they are standing on the floor. You more or less say 'Hi' to people and remind them that we are available in case they need us, and that in itself is very comforting."
To help other students, Perry requests that they "ask each other how they are doing, and be a tiny bit pushy."
"I think in our culture particularly, there is an expectation or perception that you shouldn't ask people how they are doing, or really seriously ask them how they are doing, because it is some how impolite, and implies that they are not all right...people will sometimes take that as an opportunity to talk, and may find this comforting."
CAPS is a service provided by the University Health Center, and all charges, excluding rare cases where outside psychiatrists are needed, are included in the university health fee. Perry, who joined CAPS in 1986, has been director of the service since 1991. Staff includes eight full time members, all of whom have graduate degrees in mental health professions, most are fully licensed to give metal health council or are in direct supervision. They are aided by two outside consultant psychiatrists who are state licensed. The Counseling and Psychological Services may be reached at 575-CAPS.
