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Where you can go on the BSU campus to find help

Services that students, faculty, and staff at Boise State can access if they are struggling.

The apparent suicide of Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinksi has a lot of people in the Mountain West mourning and talking about a difficult, but important issue.

Boise State administration says unfortunately they’re not immune to these types of situations. The university provides counseling services, relaxation rooms, and programs to help students get through tough times.

The university is home to more than 20,000 students, some of whom could be adjusting to life away from home.

The Dean’s Office at Boise State works with students to help manage that stress.

“We start those conversations really early at orientation, but it's not a one-time conversation. A lot of those teachable moments are built into relationships with staff,” Associate Dean of Students Lauren Oe said.

Unfortunately, the stress for students can sometimes be overwhelming.

“This is one of those things humans deal with and we as a comprehensive university are prepared to assist with when people ask for help or even when we offer our programs out there looking for these kinds of opportunities to support students in time of need,” Dean of Students Christian Wuthrich, Ph.D. said.

Students, faculty, and staff can utilize those counseling services on the second floor of the Norco Building, located on the Boise State campus.

The university also started the Campus Assessment Resources and Education (CARE) program, which is dedicated to early intervention and response to any student who may be struggling.

“You don't always know, but if we can help our campus community pay attention to some of the changes that might be going on around life stressors, behavioral changes.,” Oe said.

Anyone from anywhere can submit a report of concern about any student, faculty, staff or visitor.

“We prioritize kind of what our response needs to be and sometimes that's direct outreach to the individual that folks are worried about. Sometimes it's consulting with the person that submitted the alert to let them know about resources they can share with a student,” Oe said.

The program aims to help educated the campus community of any warning signs, the importance of intervention, as well as crisis management.

“Sometimes by asking that question you're giving them permission to talk about it, which is that first step in getting them help,” Oe said.

Campus-wide resources helping students, faculty, and staff, to act and have that conversation.

“A team that has been charged by the university to just be available and accessible to the campus around these types of situations,” Oe said.

The Boise State Athletic Department says within their sports performance program they do have a mental health expert to help any of their student athletes with their well-being.

If you or someone you know needs to talk, call the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline at (208) 398-4357.

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