Reach Out
Mental health issues are an increasing concern on college campuses, with faculty and staff in the role of “first responders” to crises and other difficult situations. Reach Out was created to assist you in making choices when responding to individuals in emotional distress, those at risk for suicide and those who may exhibit disruptive behavior. Stark State College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our campus community, and you can be part of this effort. Helping those in need strengthens our community and is an integral part of keeping the campus safe and ensuring individuals can be linked to appropriate services and resources.

Overall goals for Reach Out include:
- Increase awareness of and ability to identify individuals at-risk for suicide or other mental health concerns among Stark State College students, faculty, and staff.
- Increase help-seeking behaviors, by reducing the stigma associated with counseling and increasing awareness of available mental health resources.
- Decrease barriers to treatment by referring individuals to an appropriate resource.
- Further cultivate a culture of caring throughout the Stark State community.
Download the Reach Out mobile app
Stark State College Reach Out:
Stark State’s Reach Out app provides quick access to guidance for supporting a friend in need, suicide prevention, or coping with mental health challenges. It also supplies information about resources, referrals, and counseling services offered on the campus and in the community, including crisis hotline numbers. The Reach Out app is designed for students, parents, friends of students, faculty, and staff of Stark State College. The Reach Out app better prepares people to help a friend, loved one or themselves.
Contact
For more information about services or to schedule an appointment, contact Elizabeth Inkinen Schehl, PCC-S, at ext. 4219 or eschehl@starkstate.edu. You also can stop by room B230G on main campus to schedule an appointment.
For services at Stark State College Akron, please stop by A113N or the front Gateway office to schedule an appointment.
If you’re in a counseling emergency 24/7, please call the Stark County Crisis Center at 330-452-6000, Summit County at 330-493-9144, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 988 or the Crisis Text Line by texting 4HOPE to 741-741. Services are provided at no cost to Stark State College students.
Counseling support
Contact us
Elizabeth Inkinen Schehl
Mental Health and Community Outreach Director/Judicial Affairs Officer
330-494-6170 ext. 4219
Take the next step
Whether you’re just starting out, making your college comeback or looking for a change, you belong at Stark State.