HOUSTON – Rice University canceled classes but encouraged students and those within the Rice community to seek out counselors on campus or call their 24-hour call center for support a day after Andrea Rodriguez Avila was found dead in her dorm room.
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Organizations like the non-profit Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse or AVDA told KPRC 2 there’s also help off-campus.
“Go where you feel the most comfortable,” said AVDA CEO Maisha Colter.
Colter said it’s key not to minimize the impact of a tragedies.
“It could, escalate in terms of not feeling healthy, not feeling emotionally well. People go into depression and all kinds of other mental health issues, as a result of not addressing trauma and the impact of trauma on them,” Colter said. “Avoiding those things could impair you not just in the immediate but in the long-term future.”
READ: Rice University student killed in housing unit in murder-suicide has been identified
Colter said if you believe your family or friend is experiencing trauma you should check-in with them.
She also recommends parents regularly checking in or communicating with their children.
“Keeping the lines of communication is paramount, to parenting. When you have someone who is away from you making sure that y’all check in, have a regular, contact, you know, with each other, whether that’s text messages, phone calls, whatever it is, but making sure that you stay in contact,” Colter said.
RELATED: Rice University cancels classes Tuesday after student found dead in dorm room
Anyone looking to get more information on AVDA or if you would like to talk to a professional about a certain trauma in your life you can visit: Domestic Abuse Programs | Intervention & Prevention (avda.org)