For Family and Friends

It is often difficult to know where to turn when someone we care about is in trouble. For parents and friends of KSC students, the Counseling Center is a valuable resource, here to answer your questions and offer advice.

If You’re Concerned About Someone You Care About

It is often hard to know what the right thing to do is when someone we care about is in trouble. The Counseling Center is available to help you sort out what your options are.

Parent Concerns

Parents concerned about their son’s or daughter’s well-being are encouraged to consult with the Counseling Center. We will listen, support and can refer parents to other resources on or off campus. And students can seek services at the Counseling Center at any time. Generally, we do not initiate contact with students that parents are concerned about except in extreme situations. If you have a specific concerns about your student, just call us at 603-358-2437 and request a consultation with the Counseling Center Director. You may also wish to call the Dean of Students at 603-358-2842 who provides a central coordination point for concerns about students and can advocate for students in resolving a variety of problems.

Friends Concerns

Friends worried about friends who seem excessively sad, stressed out, or just not “themselves” are welcomed to call the Counseling Center and consult with a staff member for support and advice. Sometimes a friend’s problems feel like more than you can handle; know your limits. In fact, there are some thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that should not stay “just between friends,” including threats of self-harm or suicide. Acknowledge that you don’t have the expertise but you do care and will help to get the help they need. It is important to know that serious and persistent mental health problems including major depression and suicidality are treatable with the right professional help.

Support Yourself

As the saying goes, we can’t help others if we don’t take care of ourselves. If you are concerned about a friend or family member be sure you are also getting the support you need. Talk to people you trust, get advice and comfort. And the Counseling Center is happy to help you find any professional support you need, as well as helping your friend or family member. Talk to us about what is going on; that’s why we are here.

Consultation Services for Family and Friends

We understand that it’s often difficult for family and friends to know how to help a student, especially when far away. We are happy to consult with you about your concerns. A consultation may help you identify ways you can be most helpful to the person, and in locating campus resources that you can suggest to him or her.

How do I access these services?

These consultations can be made by phone or in person by making an appointment, click here for contact information. Parents who have specific concerns about their son or daughter should ask to speak with the Director or Assistant Director. Friends will be directed to the first available counselor. Please know that we do not initiate unsolicited contact with a student based on third-party information except in extreme situations.

Confidentiality

We understand that as a parent, guardian, or friend, you want to be assured that the person is being helped. Due to our ethical and legal obligations to maintain client confidentiality, however, please know that we will be unable to share any information with you, or confirm or deny that a student is being seen at the Counseling Center. Our requirement to adhere to patient privacy laws can cause frustration for others desiring some basic information about students that they have referred. We encourage students who have been referred to check back in with friends and family who have referred them and let them know that they have made or attended an appointment with a counselor. If the student wishes, she or he may permit a conversation between the therapist and others by signing a consent form. A full explanation of confidentiality can be viewed here. As a concerned person you also can check in with students directly to inquire about their contact with the Counseling Center. Student clients are not bound by legal restrictions and are free to disclose any information they choose to share.