Elena Guerra/Contributing Writer
The campus saying “college can make you feel like an alien” is the reason why the Counseling and Psychological Services at FIU chose a big green alien as their mascot to “help [students] adjust to the panther galaxy.”
Kiwi, their alien mascot, can be found at tabling events at FIU to try and help students learn more about the psychological services provided on campus.
“[We] provide mental health services to students [to] facilitate and enhance their personal learning, emotional well-being and academic skills development,” said Wendy Ordonez, Outreach Coordinator for the department. “CAPS is committed to providing consultation to the FIU community affected by threatened or actual violence and promoting the ability to live a full, rich life.”
CAPS’ mission is to set a safe environment for every guest, student, faculty and staff member in the FIU community.
“I would say that the CAPS department has nothing but good things to offer,” said freshman architecture major, Arianna Rios. “I have never passed by their department personally, but one time they were tabling at an event and their knowledge on what can really happen on a college campus made me feel like I can go to them even when I am going through awkward situations.”
Some of the services provided range from group counseling, victim services, individual, couple counseling and much more.
The CAPS department also created the Victim Empowerment Program.
“The Victim Empowerment Program’s mission is to provide free and confidential assistance to FIU students, faculty, staff, and university visitors who have been victimized through threatened or actual violence and to support the healing process,” said Ordonez.
Ordonez also says that in addition to these forms of assistance, the center seeks to enhance safety and promote healthy relationships by sponsoring awareness activities, prevention education, peer education and collaborating with University officials.
“Through clinical practice and research, the VEP aims to contribute to the body of knowledge and influence public policy regarding issues related to victimization,” said Ordonez.
The department is also involved in the national campaign -“It’s On Us.” The campaign aims to end sexual assault on college campuses. The slogan is intended to emphasize the role that each person- men and women- play in preventing and stopping violence, rape and sexual assault.
FIU’s campaign will expand education on prevention, bystander intervention and resources for victims. For more information students can visit itsonus.fiu.edu.
Ordonez also believes that CAPS and VEP programs on campus make an impact here at FIU, and it’s important for students to be aware of these services to seek help when needed.
“Between our clinical services and prevention education we have reached thousands of students that would have not otherwise known our existence,” said Ordonez. “This has resulted in an increase of students walking in to our center.”
The CAPS department offers a large variety of services to FIU that can be found online at their website: studentaffairs.fiu.edu/wellness/counseling-and-psychological-service, or by visiting their offices in Student Health Center 270 at Modesto Maidique Campus, and Wolfe University Center 320 at The Biscayne Bay Campus.