Counseling offers 24/7 help

When students are in need of a support system, Counseling and Testing Services is always on call.

Counseling and Testing Services at WSU provide individual and group counseling for students, psychological testing, drug and alcohol services, and 24/7 crisis counseling. The center also provides an invaluable and confidential service to students–sexual assault crisis and long-term counseling.

Susan Simonds, sexual assault response coordinator at Counseling and Testing Services, said students who have experienced sexual assault are able to utilize walk-in services on Monday through Friday and can also receive help through the 24-hour crisis hotline.

“I think of the things that’s really important is that students know that this is a safe place to come and talk to somebody,” Simonds said.

Sexual assault can often cause post-traumatic stress disorder, and it is important to help students understand their resources and what their options are, she said. She added that counselors can also help students work around academic schedules while still keeping information confidential.

While Counseling and Testing Services is a private service to students, Simonds said information may be shared with health care providers if a student wants medication or a physical exam.

However, the confidentiality of Counseling and Testing Services and on-campus health care providers are unique, as all other employees are mandatory reporters of sexual assault according to Title IX, Kimberly Anderson, interim director at the Office for Equal Opportunity said.

Anderson said Title IX is implemented in all areas of the university to help the university create a safe environment for all students.

“Most people know Title IX notoriously from sports, but it does encompass more than that,” said Adam Jussel, director of student standards and accountability.

Although some university sources for sexual assault are not confidential, students’ rights are still protected, Jussel said.

“We cannot guarantee confidentiality, but student rights are still protected under FERPA,” Jussel said.

The Office of Equal Opportunity, Student Standards and Accountability and Counseling and Testing Services all work closely together to make sure students’ needs are sufficiently met, Anderson said.

“We want it to always be their decision on whether or not they want to talk to us,” she said.

Anderson said many students who come to her office with an issue regarding sexual assault have already spoken to a counselor, but in all situations her office recommends that students facing a sexual assault situation speak with a confidential counselor.

“We have plenty of students who come here first, who never want to be involved with any other office in the university–they just want confidential counseling sources,” Simonds said. “It always depends on what a person needs, what do they want, and how are they impacted.”