On February 12, 2002, when alumnus Patrick Arbelo of Bridgeport, held a classroom in Canisius Hall hostage for over five hours, it was hard to miss the efforts of Fairfield’s security department, Fairfield police, Connecticut State Police and eventually the FBI.
However, one group went to work when it all ended and is still at it today.
Fairfield University’s counseling services responded to the 23 hostages, reaching out as a crisis management team. One female student, who graduated last spring, recalls the efforts counseling services made.
“They [counseling services] had us meet in groups and talk about what happened and how we felt,” said the student, who asked to remain anonymous. “We could leave when we wanted to, but most of us thought it helped so we stayed for a few sessions.”
The same female returned to counseling services during her senior year when she was experiencing severe roommate problems.
“I got tired of always talking to my friends about the problems I was having with my roommate and they got sick of hearing about it,” she said. “I went and met with Elise [Harrison] a bunch of times and she helped a lot.”
“Things got so bad, I started to feel like I was crazy and couldn’t tell right from wrong anymore. Elise talked to me and helped me realize why I was feeling this way and that I wasn’t crazy at all,” the student said.
Last year at Fairfield, 437 students, or 13 percent of the student body, utilized counseling services, according to Assistant Vice President for Student Resources and Director of Counseling Services Susan Birge, and Elise Harrison, the full-time psychotherapist on campus.
Of the 437 students, 330 were seen in an individual counseling setting. Of the 330 individual students, 47 percent had a reported history of counseling, 23 percent had previously been prescribed psychotropic medication, 21 percent were actively under the care of a psychiatrist or Renfrew Center, and 18 percent were currently taking psychotropic medication, according to Counseling Services.
“We show students camaraderie,” said Harrison, “and make sure they are not feeling alone.”
Christie La Russo ’06 is one of many students who have felt this.
“My friend and I went after one of our friends experienced a death in
her family,” La Russo said. “Counseling Services were extremely helpful in making
appointments and checking up on us. Everyone from the secretary to the
counselor consistently expressed concern for our continued well-being.”
Counseling Services is not only there to help when a crisis happens, but also to deal with everyday issues ranging from depression and anxiety to eating disorders and gender identity problems.
While many universities send students off-campus for help, Fairfield has taken the initiative to bring resources on campus.
Dr. Charles Morgan, chief of psychiatry at Bridgeport Hospital and Kathy Graziano, psychiatric nurse, come to campus every other Thursday. In addition, Lisa Arnold, licensed alcohol and drug counselor, provides substance abuse assessments and group experience on campus, and the Renfrew Treatment for Eating Disorders comes to campus to help students battling eating disorders.
Still, there are many students on campus who choose not to seek the help of counseling services.
“I just feel that if I had a problem and needed counseling, I would rather go off campus,” said Lauren Pepiciello ’06. “I’ve heard great things about our counseling services, but it’s not something I would utilize.”
Counseling Services recognizes students’ thoughts, and hopes that things will change.
“Our best advertisement is student-to-student referral,” said Birge. “And when students do refer us, we immediately see more. All we can do is put the good word out and invite students.”
Counseling Services has noticed a shift in the stigmas against them.
“More and more students are coming here having already been to some counseling,” said Birge.
“We’ve also noticed how deeply issues impact students today,” said Harrison. “Students have a deeper struggle and more complex issues.”
One issue Counseling Services would not talk about was suicide, although Fairfield, like many other schools including New York University and George Washington University, has had attempts on campus before.
Counseling Services encourages students to utilize their facilities.
“People who get help are the ones who are healthy,” said Birge, who explained that confidentiality is the most important part of Counseling Services.
Students who have utilized the services agree that it is worth the trip up to Dolan.
The setting was very comfortable, personal, and intimate. It’s not corny,
rigid, or uncomfortable like most students think,” La Russo said.
Leave a Reply