As we reach the final days of May and Mental Health Awareness Month, Laredo College understands that mental health resources are invaluable every day of the year.
This is why the LC Counseling and Disability Services Department is working to highlight the powerful 988 initiative that is available to the community and work in tandem with the college’s highly-trained licensed counselors for the benefit and support of our students. Its focus is to connect trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, mental health crisis or any other kind of emotional distress.
According to LC Counseling and Disability Services Director Adriana Craddock, 988 is a dialing code that became nationally available on July 2022 that connects anyone in an emergency mental health situation with licensed professionals who are there to listen and talk with those in need. The lifeline is a 24/7, free and confidential resource that can be an alternative to dialing 911 during times of need.
Craddock said that in these moments, talking to someone may help verbalize the emotions and troubles running through one’s mind. The causes of mental anguish can come from many sources including uncertainty over basic needs, work or school pressure, but LC staff can help guide a student to the local resources and help address mental health concerns.
“What I tell students is if it’s a little rock in your shoe, I use that example a lot, you move your foot around in your shoe and you keep walking. As you keep adding little rocks, the problems, the worries, the doubts, those are more rocks that affect your walking,” Craddock said. “Once you talk to us, we can start removing those so that you’re more comfortable and able to focus on your success.”
With 988 providing support on a national level, it is also important for students to be aware that masters level counselors are available to help at both campuses. Office hours are Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon at the Kazen Student Center Room 132 in the Ft. McIntosh campus and in the Billy Hall Student Center room A208 at the South Campus.
Listening is vital in helping one decompress and address the causes of mental anguish over separate periods of counseling. For students who may feel more comfortable speaking with a counselor in-person, Craddock said that both appointments and walk-ins are accepted, and the department doesn’t turn any student away.
For assistance regarding mental health, counseling or more information regarding accommodations, contact the LC Counseling and Disability Services Department via email at lcds@laredo.edu and counseling@laredo.edu or by calling (956) 721-5137.