Family & 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 Wellness 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 Wellness 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 Wellness Center. We will listen, support and can refer parents to other resources on or off campus. And students can seek services at the Wellness Center at any time. Generally, we do not initiate contact with students except in extreme situations. If you have a specific concerns about your student, just call us at 603-358-2200 and request a consultation with the the Assistant Director for Counseling. 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. If you are acutely concerned about risk to a student’s life, you can request a wellness check through campus safety at 603-358-2228.
Friends Concerns
Friends worried about friends who seem excessively sad, stressed out, or just not “themselves” are welcome to call the Wellness 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 our counselors are 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.
Read our Confidentiality Statement.
