Donna Lafoon

Student Assistance Counselor

• A Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) assists students with any personal issue that negatively impacts their learning or emotional development. The SAC meets with students on an individual or small group basis to help them develop coping skills and solve problems.

• Parents sometimes seek the assistance of the SAC for information, intervention and referral services. Faculty members often request the support of the SAC in order to identify individual students in need of help. 

**All conversations between students and the SAC are confidential. However, issues related to suicidal or homicidal intent, drug or alcohol use, and child abuse must be reported.** 

Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Addictions Hotline of NJ: 1-844-ReachNJ (732-2465)

LGBT National Youth Talk Line: 1-800-246-7743

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Depression and Anxiety Resources

• Half of Us

  • A website that uses the stories of students and celebrities dedicated to increasing awareness about mental health issues and the importance of getting help

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental health disorders.

• Kids Health - Depression in teens vs Sadness

Drug and Alcohol Information

• ASPIRE is an educational resource to help students learn about the dangers of nicotine, tobacco, and vaping.

• Facts and Risks of e-cigarettes

• A message from the US Surgeon General:

  • A brief video that discusses the Impact on youth and vaping and its health issues.

Substance Use Resources for Parents of Adolescents and Young Adults through SAHM

• Provides online resources for parents of adolescents and young adults

• Here is a quick PDF link to a reference sheet for parents looking for additional information, including online resources, support groups, peer networks, helplines, treatment locators, and advocacy opportunities.

LGBTQ Resources

• Glaad Resource List

• GLSEN

• The Trevor Project

Grief Resources

• Hearts and Crafts Counseling Resources

• Dougy Grief Support Resources

• Good Grief Resources

• Joe Primo, from NJ, speaks about grief as a process to embrace and how it creates a climate of hope and resilience

Mental Health Apps

• Mind Shift-Anxiety Management

• Headspace-mindfulness and meditation

• Happify-reduce stress and overcome negative thoughts.

• Finch-Self-care techniques

• Got Your Back-Awareness on Mental Health and Suicide