Many of our hearts are burdened this morning with the tragedy that occurred at Seattle Pacific University. As many of you are aware, there was a shooting at SPU that led to the death of one student and others have been injured. In addition, the shooting caused emotional trauma for many members of the SPU community. This event reverberates across the nation and shakes us at our core as we grapple with issues related to gun control and personal and institutional safety. For many of us, this tragic event will connect to the grief and loss that our nation experienced in the aftermath of the University of Santa Barbara and Virginia Tech shootings, Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, Boston Marathon bombing and other tragic incidents. As we hear the stories of violence and loss, it may remind us that life is so fragile; yet we must remain vigilant in our quest to create a safe and just society. Let us all have a moment of silence today in recognition of the individuals who have been impacted by this tragedy.
With such a tragedy so close to home, members of the campus community may experience a wide-range of emotions. The Jed Foundation (www.jedfoundation.org), a national leader in working to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide among college students, provides tips on how to cope with tragedy and ways to express support through a collaborative effort with Half of Us (http://www.halfofus.com/situation/trauma/).
According to the Jed Foundation, even if you aren’t directly affected by the tragedy or don’t know anyone impacted by an event, it’s normal to feel emotionally overwhelmed. However, it’s important not to ignore those feelings. For more information regarding disasters and tragedy you may want to connect with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at http://www.samhsa.gov/trauma/index.aspx. I am also including the scholastic websites that provides tips for helping children cope with tragedy.
Faculty and staff members who may like to talk to someone regarding their thoughts, concerns and reactions can also contact the Employment Assistance Program (EAP) or call 1-877-313-4455. To assist students, Shoreline counselors can meet with them to talk about their response (feeling overwhelmed, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depressed mood, etc.) to the SPU tragedy and news reporting updates. Students can make a counseling appointment by calling 206-546-4559 or stopping by the Counseling Center located in the FOSS Building, Room 5229. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can be reached at 206-546-4559.
Counselors: Jeanne Strieck, Gwynith Hoffman-Robinson, Cal Ledbetter, Yvonne Terrell-Powell, Director
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