When To Seek Help

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 15:22

There are many ways to get support. Some seek out friends, family members, religious leaders, and counselors. Sharing our concerns can be helpful especially if we feel supported and understood. Sometimes we need advice or someone to help us come up with options, and sometimes we may need someone to just listen or be present with us.

There are times when we need to speak to a counselor about an issue confidentially. In the Brickley Center we would encourage students to speak to a counselor if any of the following is indicated:

• When it is difficult to focus and concentrate
• When you feel a lack of motivation and energy
• You feel so overwhelmed that it is difficult to figure out what to do next
• A change in your eating habits, weight gain/loss
• Abusing alcohol and/or drugs
• Extreme jealousy
• Missing too many classes/assignments
• Feel a need to be alone in a way that is different from being energized by “just getting your space”
• Feeling sad or depressed and not like yourself
• Having thoughts of harming yourself, suicidal thoughts (see emergency services below)
• Feel stressed or anxious in a way that seems to take away enjoyment or focus
• Relationship stressors with family, peers, or intimate relationships that interfere with your sleep or focus/concentration.

These are just some reasons to consult with a counselor, though there are other reasons as well.

Contact

Brickley Center receptionist: 617-745-3892.

Brad Thorne, Director: 617-745-3894, bradford.thorne@enc.edu

Emergencies

In cases of a mental health emergency, students should come to the Brickley Center and let the Office Manager know that this is an emergency and that you need to be seen by a counselor as soon as possible. If after hours, students should contact their Resident Director or the Security Office on-campus at 617-745-3911. If you are off campus and are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Other Emergency Numbers/Hotlines:

National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Local: South Shore Mental Health: 617-774-6036 to speak to a crisis team member