Tragic events like the shooting at Antigo High School over the weekend, bring more attention to the disturbing amount of shootings happening across the country.
Local school districts have had programs in place to offer counseling to students for years, but it takes a community to maintain the health and wellness of young adults and adults.
St. Norbert College in De Pere has a counseling office that works to maintain a level of comfort and approachability where any student can feel safe speaking up. The counselors are some of the first people new students meet when beginning a college career at St. Norbert.
Tom Doughman, Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at the college, says it can be a friend or even a classmate who notices the subtle changes in behavior that could show signs that a person is in distress or depressed. Especially in today's culture of social media where a lot of interactions, both negative and positive, are happening completely online.
Pulaski Community School District integrates multi-faceted trainings for teachers as well. They focus on looking for changes in behavior and encouraging peers to intervene if bullying is happening.
Teachers at the schools there take on more roles that just a "teacher," by being connected on multiple levels with the students in their classes and communities.
The counselors agree it takes a community effort to look out for each other and speak up before someone is pushed to harm another person.
Whether you're a student or not, if you are looking for counseling or just someone to talk to, check out some resources available in the area below:
- Crisis Center of Family Services
- National Suicide Prevention Lifelife
- Brown County Community Treatment Center
- Aging and Disability Resource Center of Brown County
