Counseling Services Articles

Icebreakers and interactions galore have filled the days and nights for Penn College's Wildcats as the fall semester gets in gear. Among the hoopla and help captured by college photographers: "Hot Dog, You're Here!," the beloved tradition of four-legged visitors; the IMALIVE Mental Health Fair, raising awareness of resources and support available to students; and a Paint Party, mixing music and a splash of color.

A cross-curricular, collaborative effort by Pennsylvania College of Technology psychology and nursing faculty and a college counselor to enhance students’ mental health was highlighted at the Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition’s Annual Conference, held recently in Pittsburgh. Fifty colleges from 21 states took part in the conference. Presentations and workshops focused on how college campuses partner with communities and organizations to promote mental wellness needs and decrease suicide risk.

Making connections on campus, in the community and with self care was the focus of the third annual Wildcat Wellness Fair. Held recently on a rainy April day, the popular event provided a refuge in the Bush Campus Center for weather-weary, kindred-craving Penn College students and employees.

Pennsylvania College of Technology recently joined the National Alliance on Mental Illness in hosting a panel discussion for students and employees on suicide prevention and mental health.

Penn College Counseling Services, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and The Jason Foundation are co-sponsoring a local conference site for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 18, in the Thompson Professional Development Center’s Mountain Laurel Room.

Penn College comprised the largest showing at Sunday's Out of the Darkness Community Walk, helping to save lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Two teams – PCT Hope, organized by Mary R. Shuma Rudberg, director of counseling, and Katie L. Mackey, assistant director of disability and access resources; and the Wildcat men's basketball team – paid no heed to rain and joined other local residents in Montoursville's Indian Park.

Mary R. Shuma Rudberg has been named director of counseling at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Rudberg, who has extensive professional and educational experience in the counseling field, began her duties this month.

Penn College's annual "YELLow It Out" observance, sponsored this past week by Student Affairs and People & Culture, offered coordinated programming aimed at sharing resources and raising awareness for suicide prevention.