5 questions for … Jim Spivack

Photo by Kanji Takeno

Counseling Center director offers advice in the aftermath of last week's Virginia Tech shootings

The shock and horror may have subsided, but Jim Spivack continues to field questions about grief and how best to deal with concerns about a student's mental health.

Is there a most appropriate way to grieve?

There are no right or wrong ways to respond to loss. Some people show a lot of feelings immediately; others may be affected later. Those who have a grief and loss history may find themselves reliving traumas. Faculty and staff should be prepared for students’ reactions and assure them that campus resources are available to help them work through the pain, sadness and outrage.

What about grieving online?

I think students are using MySpace and Facebook consistently and effectively to express grief—I’ve seen some very touching memorials on those sites. There are certainly some advantages: Online communication is instantaneous, and there’s a large audience to offer comments and condolences. But I would hope that students and others who use MySpace and Facebook also share their thoughts in person with their friends and families.  

How should faculty/staff deal with students who appear to be a threat to themselves or others?

Certainly we want them to be alert to students showing aberrant behavior, but they also need to recognize that the kind of violence we saw at Virginia Tech is extremely rare. That said, it’s critical that faculty and staff with concerns call the Counseling Center for consultation. Our staff will try to help them make sense of their observations and discuss making a proper referral to the center. Our role is to help facilitate the faculty member’s ability to handle these situations effectively.

Are there reliable warning signs?

Students say and write all kinds of gruesome things, but it’s difficult to predict violent behavior based on that—it’s just so hard to extrapolate. Still, I'd advise anyone who sees or hears something disturbing to call the Counseling Center to discuss what it might mean.  

What steps can the Counseling Center take if a student is deemed a threat?

If the Counseling Center staff becomes aware of a student who is an imminent danger,  we have a responsibility as psychologists and counselors to get that person to safety. We can work toward getting him or her to the emergency room at a local hospital—voluntarily or involuntarily. Of course we use professional judgment and abide by legal statutes and codes of ethics, but we would do what was needed.

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