Following the death of Instructor Doug Lawhead on Thursday afternoon, students who witnessed his apparent heart attack in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union were asked to seek out the Counseling Center.

The Counseling Center provides an opportunity for students to talk about matters they may not feel comfortable discussing with their family or friends. 

Angi Parker, a counselor in the Counseling Center, said students should seek the help and comfort of their peers and those close to them, as well as the resources the Counseling Center offers.

“In those moments, students should talk about what they’ve seen with their support systems, especially if they’re having trouble eating, sleeping or carrying on with daily routines,” Parker said.

She said that although students may not react right away, the weight of situations such as this could surface at a later date.

“Tragic events such as this one can generate bigger issues because they are hard to deal with,” she said. “If your daily functioning is being affected, please call the Counseling Center.”

Parker said the center offers group counseling, individual counseling, consultations and a 24-hour crisis line, all staffed by psychologists, counselors and graduate students.

“If you are noticing a change in behavior, mood, functioning or what was previously normal for someone, it’s definitely a reason to be more concerned about that person,” Parker said.

After a tragedy such as this one, Parker said an increase in people to the Counseling Center is expected and normal.

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She recommended that students should not isolate themselves and to express their feelings instead of bottling them up inside and keeping to themselves.

“We try to prepare our best to make sure there are counselors that are always readily available,” she said.

All counseling services offered through Eastern are free, voluntary and confidential.

“We will make sure people’s needs are met and that they to see a counselor as soon as possible,” Parker said.

Counselors can be reached at the Counseling Center at 217-581-3413, or for the 24-hour crisis line, call 217-549-6483. 

The center itself is also open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Robyn Dexter can be reached 

at 581-2812 or redexter@eiu.edu.