Yaeger, an interdisciplinary humanities freshman, attended a discussion Monday hosted by members of the MSU Counseling Center. The talk was followed by a candlelight vigil at the rock on Farm Lane to recognize the six killed Thursday in the Northern Illinois campus shootings.

Lee June, vice president for student affairs and services, said the university tries to hold discussions after tragic incidents that could affect the MSU community.

“They might want to talk about feelings of stress or anxiety,” said June, whose office sponsored the vigil. “This is a chance to talk with trained officials about the issue.”

No-preference sophomore Maria Wasikowski attended the discussion because she also felt these incidents are becoming too frequent.

“It almost seems like, ‘Oh, another one,’ which is just really sad,” she said.

Glenn Stutzky, a clinical instructor at MSU’s School of Social Work, said school shootings still are fairly rare, but excess media coverage of isolated tragedies creates a feeling that violence is happening more frequently than in reality.

Excess coverage also can increase feelings of shock, he said.

“When you have the coverage and the access of media, that can make it seem closer and a lot more real,” he said.

Stutzky said it’s important to make yourself accessible to a person dealing with depression and stress.

“Slow down, take time and turn off our cell phones for a couple of minutes and listen to people,” he said.

Taylor Johnston, a crop and soil sciences professor of more than 40 years, said he believes all new faculty members should be required to learn about the Counseling Center as part of their orientation.

Johnston said he didn’t know about the university’s counseling services as a new employee. In his first year at MSU, he took a student to his home because he was concerned about his mental health.

“I could tell he was suicidal,” he said. “I didn’t know what else to do with him except make sure he wasn’t alone that night.”

Jan Collins-Eaglin, director of the counseling center, said many professors want to know what to do when students approach them.

“Refer (students) to resources around campus,” she said. “If you feel overwhelmed by what students are saying, believe that.”

Johnston said he will talk to students about minor problems they’re having, but since the incident that occurred in his first year, he’s learned the limitations of his position and the resources available on campus.

“I’m not a psychologist and would never pretend to be,” he said. “Sometimes (students) just want to tell somebody they’re in pain.”