Trying to break the stigma of counseling and encouraging WVU students to utilize mental health services available on campus is the mission of Holding Every Life Precious (HELP), a new student organization. The group will be holding a meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, March 5, in the Rhododendron Room of the Mountainlair to recruit new members, increase awareness of their efforts and start planning for a spring benefit concert.

HELP wants to attract members to the group so we have more people out there sharing information and expanding our reach,said Mary Hageman, treasurer and secretary for HELP .The meeting on Monday is our first major step to increase our membership and start planning what to do with our group.

Members of HELP work in conjunction with the Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services to provide information about mental health services. The primary efforts are to distribute materials about mental health issues and encourage students to consider counseling if they experience difficulty.

We want students to understand that its okay to go to counseling and seek help if they are experiencing anxiety, depression or stress,said Hageman, a member of Chi Omega Sorority.Thats what the services at the Carruth Center are for and we want students to take advantage of them.

The long terms plans for HELP include expanding their reach into other college and university campuses, although right now their focus is on increasing local membership and funding.

Wed like to have two events a yearone in the spring and one in the fallbut we need more members to help coordinate activities,Hageman said.We are looking for students to get involved with our group to help plan the events.

The Carruth Center provides a broad range of counseling and psychological services, including personal and group counseling, which are confidential and free for WVU students.

For more information about HELP or the meeting, contact Kelli Ellison at 304-575-5502.

The Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services is located on the third floor of the Student Services Building, next door to the Mountainlair. More information about this and other programs is available by calling 304-293-4431 or visiting on line athttp://www.wvu.edu/~cocenter.