A growing concern among the college population is the loss of students by suicide. Our community has not been immune to that loss. Penn College engages in campus-wide initiatives designed to increase awareness of suicide, including educational campaigns, presentations to faculty and staff about warning signs and appropriate actions, and training for students and student leaders.
National, state and local suicide prevention hotlines, providing free, 24/7, confidential support to people in crisis.
This free and confidential national crisis line is for anyone who needs emotional support, and is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This free and confidential national crisis line is for anyone who needs emotional support, and is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. Volunteer crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Are you a young person of color? Feeling down, stressed, or overwhelmed?
Crisis Services- Telephone, Chat, and Text Crisis Services are offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Counseling Services provides psychotherapy and supportive services to students in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. Services promote psychological well-being, which helps students achieve their personal and academic potential and fosters student resilience and success in college and beyond. Counselors promote self-awareness, teach effective self-care and wellness strategies, and encourage personal responsibility and empowerment. Counselors also provide responsive consultation, outreach, and educational programming to students, staff, and faculty. Counselors function in an inclusive and professional atmosphere and aspire to the highest clinical and ethical standards of care, including a sensitivity to the impact of diversity on individuals and the community.
College Health Services provides holistic care related to the health and wellness of the college community to assist each member in being a productive member of society. This is accomplished through the promotion of individual and campus wide health and wellness education, prevention programs, and the care of individuals with acute and chronic illnesses, injuries, or health issues.
Mental health counseling; psychiatric services; trauma-focused therapy ·
Low cost health and dental care, including behavioral health. Offer complete assessments, brief therapeutic intervention and facilitate referrals.
Serving the prevention, intervention, and treatment needs of individuals and families affected by alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Outpatient mental health services; psychotherapy; psychiatric evaluations; medication management; individual, marital, family, and group therapy.
Provides both outpatient and intensive outpatient program to assist individuals and families with substance abuse and related family problems. Offer specific counseling for perpetrators of domestic violence, DUI offenders, dual diagnosis, anger management and relapse prevention program.
Offers Lycoming County and surrounding communities comprehensive crisis and counseling services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including a crisis hotline, emergency shelter, individual and group counseling and medical and court accompaniments.
After Hours: Faculty, staff, and students should call 911 or the Penn College Police with emergency concerns. Please do not contact Counseling Services by email, since this is not monitored 24 hours/day. Students living on campus can contact their Resident Assistant or Residence Life Coordinator.
Walk-In Crisis Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Mobile Crisis Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Offers free and confidential services 24/7 for domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes. Trained staff and volunteers provide immediate support and information to help clients deal with crises and offer follow-up assistance to deal with ongoing related issues.
Anonymous, 24/7 global student support, just like you. “No student should struggle alone.”
Create an account using your PCT email address.
Depression is a serious mental health condition. When left untreated, symptoms of depression (or other mental illness) can worsen to the point where thoughts of suicide may emerge. At some point in life, many individuals have thoughts of suicide, with no intent to act upon the thoughts. A combination of stressors, complicated by untreated mental illness, may lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. As thoughts become more specific, for instance, having a specific plan in mind, risk of attempted or completed suicide increases. Note the following signs/symptoms of depression, or other possible mental illness below. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or another, read about “Intervention- How to Help.”
Not everyone who suffers from mental illness has suicidal thoughts. It is the combination of untreated mental health concerns, high stress, and exhaustion of coping skills that increases risk.
A person who is thinking of suicide may express some of the following signs:
Not everyone feels comfortable directly confronting someone they feel is struggling. If you feel unsure of what to say or how to go about approaching the conversation, there are other ways to address the situation.
The grief process for survivors of suicide (those left behind after a friend or a loved one completes suicide) is as difficult as any other loss, with the added challenges associated with common feelings such as confusion, guilt, despair, disbelief, and anger. Some things for survivors to remember are:
Survivors of suicide can find immense benefit in coming together with each other to feel less alone in their grief, to feel support from others who share a similar sense of loss, and to remember the loved one who was lost. Counseling Services can offer support for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has resources for those who have lost a friend or loved one.
Penn College’s postvention plan (login required) outlines predetermined strategies to effectively and sensitively respond to campus deaths after they occur. The plan outlines steps to support the campus community by facilitating the grieving or adjustment process, stabilizing the environment, and reducing the risk of negative behaviors.
Therapy Assistance Online (TAO)
Students can access over 150 brief, effective, educational sessions covering over 50 common topics and skills related to mental health, wellness, and substance use.
Learn More
Create an account using your PCT email address.
TalkCampus
Anonymous, 24/7 global student support, just like you. “No student should struggle alone.”
Learn more
Create an account using your PCT email address.
Penn College trains students, staff, and faculty to learn how to identify students who are struggling, how to reach out, and how to refer to resources on campus. Training focuses on those who interact regularly with students to spot signs of distress (ex. annual training for RA’s).
Meets regularly to identify students of concern and intervene with students before a crisis occurs. The team’s evaluation of early warning signs and targeted intervention may steer a distressed student to seek help. The team is comprised of representatives from: Residence Life, College Health Services, Counseling Services, Disability and Access Resources, Academic Success Center, and Student Affairs. The team is led by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and meets every other week during the academic year.
Penn College conducts an annual environmental scan of campus (involving Penn College Police and General Services staff) to examine rooftops, atriums, windows, security of toxic substances, etc. Safety items are brought to the attention of the College Safety Committee, which meets monthly. Penn College has installed a pill collection receptacle in College Health Services and encourages the college community to safely dispose of any expired or unused medications.