By Chrissy Dill
Staff writer
There are several resources available for students who may be facing an unplanned pregnancy and are considering their options in dealing with it.
If a student is faced with an unplanned pregnancy, SE Counseling Services as well as Student Health Services provide resources. “I’ve talked to students about it,” said Student Health Services director April Lehrling. “We do pregnancy testing here, and by law we’re required to present students with all their options.”
Lehrling continued explaining the opportunities the department provides, saying upon pregnancy, they refer the student to further resources, such as the state health department, the crisis pregnancy center and other community resources.
We may give them information on how to contact a facility that provides abortions or other care, she added.
“Sometimes they come back because of a psychological fallout that’s related to the choice they made that may or may not be abortion,” said Lehrling.
According to Lehrling, Student Health Services provides students with the necessary resources in effort to eliminate the need for an abortion as an option.
“We do lots of sexual health and pregnancy prevention, especially with the freshman population,” she said. “The key is to put things in place to avoid abortion and unplanned pregnancy all together.”
Most sexual health information Lehrling provides are programs in the classroom setting, which is mostly freshman orientation classes. She goes through health communication with students, she said, discussing what questions to ask your partner.
Lehrling also said she goes over with students knowing when they are ready for sexual intercourse and the signs and symptoms of and how to prevent and take care of pregnancy as well as STDs.
Though the issue is not heavily debated among SE students on campus, occasionally the subject arises.
“We’ve had students come to counseling because of abortion,” said Guidance and Counseling Center director Jane McMillan.
“Our responsibility as the Counseling Center is to look at whatever issues they may be facing and help them come to their own decision,” said McMillan.
McMillian stressed the main role of the counseling center is to be available when a student needs someone to talk to about their issues, not to offer advice or be judgmental in any way.
“In my opinion, abortion is truly one of the hardest issues for women because it involves personal values, spiritual beliefs, social influences and loss and grief,” explained McMillan.
“There is not a comparable issue that men face,” she added.
“I see our role as helping them explore their own beliefs and the impact of such a decision in relationship to those beliefs,” stated McMillan.
The Pregnancy Center of Bryan County also provides numerous services and counseling for students who may be seeking abortion or other types of services.
“In 2011, so far, the PCBC has served 118 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 and 170 between the ages of 20 and 24,” said PCBC Office Manager Erin McDaniel.
“Forty girls who are currently in college, that we know of, have visited our center since January,” McDaniel added.
The center offers women faced with pregnancy Biblical-based counseling, listening ears and compassion, said McDaniel. “If an abortion has already taken place, we offer post-abortive counseling as well,” she added.
McDaniel continued, saying the center provides informational brochures that cover abortion procedures, effects and consequences. “Most importantly, we offer support to all young women who walk through our doors,” she said.
“Our most consistent effort on campus is providing information to students, upon request, through the campus nurse,” said PCBC volunteer Bridget Youngblood.
“The health department on campus always has packets, brochures and our contact information on hand for students,” Youngblood said.