Personal and Social Concerns

In our changing world young people face greater risk than previous generations:

  • By age 21, today's young people have faced more decisions than their grandparents faced in a lifetime.

  • One out of five families move each year.

  • Everyone faces career decisions.

  • Young people face increasing violence in our society.

  • Young people face critical decisions about sexuality.

  • Some young people face hopelessness that can lead to self-destructive behavior.

The Counseling Department is part of the curriculum and students do not need parental permission to speak to a counselor.  The Counselor provides a safe place for the student to talk about feelings that arise due to divorce, alcoholism or drugs within a family, grief, new student issues, academic difficulties, peer relationships, future goals, etc. . .  Since it is a confidential setting, information is not shared with parents without the consent of the student.  Parents who do not want their child speaking to a counselor should talk to their child and inform the counseling department.

Here are some popular links related to personal and social concerns

Self-Help

  • Third Level Crisis Services provides crisis counseling, problem assistance, information and referral to the people of Northern Michigan.
  • Online Psych is a large online community where people gather for mental health information and support.
  • Prevention On-Line The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
  • Alcoholics Anonymous Official Website for Alcohlics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
  • AL-ANON and ALATEEN This web site, established in 1994, is solely the work and responsibility of Al-Anon member volunteers in various countries. It is not authorized, nor supported, by the Al-Anon World Service Office. "AL-ANON (and ALATEEN for younger members) is a worldwide organization that offers a self-help recovery program for families and friends of alcoholics whether or not the alcoholic seeks help or even recognizes the existence of a drinking problem. Members give and receive comfort and understanding through a mutual exchange of experiences, strength and hope. Sharing of similar problems binds individuals and groups together in a bond that is protected by a policy of anonymity."
  • Project Know The Project KNOW Web site was created to tell the truth about drugs from the perspective of kids, parents, and experts. Drugs poison the future - sometimes all at once with sudden death and shattered lives, and sometimes a little at a time with lost dreams and wasted promise. The best way to avoid these problems is to "KNOW" the truth about drugs.
  • D.A.R.E Since its early beginnings, D.A.R.E. has always taken the anti-drug, anti-violence message to the streets. Now D.A.R.E. has taken this powerful message to the biggest street in the world, the Information Superhighway.

Help for Families

  • Adopt Your Friendly Community Adoption Site...

Grief and Loss

  • Welcome to GriefNet GriefNet is an Internet community consisting of more than 30 email support groups and two web sites. Our integrated approach to online grief support was developed to provide support to people working through loss and grief issues of all kinds.
  • Compassionate Friends The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization which offers friendship and understanding to families who are grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause. There is no religious affiliation. There are no membership fees or dues, and all bereaved family members are welcome.