IU offering counseling for students

Counseling services are available on campus for students struggling to deal with the suicide attempt at Ballantine Hall Monday. \nNancy Buckles, director of Counseling and Psychological Services in the IU Health Center said the facility on the fourth floor offers walk-in counseling for students who feel they cannot wait for a scheduled appointment.\nWalk-in hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Buckles said although at least one counselor is always on duty, in an emergency situation, the center will overstaff. She said because of the circumstances, fees will be waived this week.\n"In the light of this unusual traumatic event there will be no charges for services provided in relationship to the event that occurred," Buckles said. \nBuckles said anyone who is affected by this event should see a counselor immediately if by the next day, they are having difficulty sleeping, appetite changes, problems focusing and concentrating and have feelings of fear, anxiety or depression.\n"The counselors are there to help people cope with events like this," Buckles said. \nThe Center for Human Growth, located in room 0001 of the education building also provides individual counseling services to students in need.\nGerrrett Stenken, assistant director at the center said walk-in hours are from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. During those hours, at least one counselor will be on call.\n"We want to be here so students can come and talk about how they are dealing with this," Stenken said. "We want to let them know that they don't have to be alone."\nAlthough individual counseling sessions are $15, Stenken said other payment options can be arranged, as money is not a barrier for services.