PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) – The last 48 hours were a whirlwind of emotions for students and faculty at UW-Platteville, after a tragic shooting left two students dead.
WMTV was told that immediately after the shooting, UW-Platteville called in extra help to ensure that mental health resources were available for everyone who needs them.
Michelle Colosimo, executive director of critical support services with Empathia, was called in.
“We are an organization that we respond to these types of events,” she said. “It’s critical, you want to make sure that you have that available so that no one feels alone.”
Colosimo said that students are taking advantage of the extra resources that have been made available.
“I would say the strongest right now is sadness and that’s understandable,” she said.
She said that in a University setting with extra support services on campus, healing can happen together.
“While it is a very difficult time, that community and support that is here makes all the difference,” Colosimo said.
The shooting happened during finals week. The school canceled finals, and many students moved out early, so Colosimo reminded students that support can be found from home too.
“We might feel like everything is okay, I don’t need anything but then you return home right and things start to set in,” she explained.
Colosimo said virtual resources are available, but parents should offer further support to their children when they return home.
“When their child comes home to connect with them, asking how are you doing and what do you need it’s about giving people that sense of control back,” Colosimo advised.
The goal is to help students move forward through grief, and process the situation that occurred on their campus.
“They’re grieving and grieving the loss of a person that’s important to them, that they engage with on a daily basis, that might’ve been somebody that was their study partner. Just trying to process what that’s gonna be like,” said Colosimo.
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