Editor,
An article in Wednesday's Daily Lobo detailed a dormitory association's plight for a lounge space.
The space is also one of the many possible future spaces of the Agora Crisis Center.
We at Agora felt compelled to make clear some misunderstandings in that article. They hinge on three major issues including security, retention and what Agora does.
First, we hope students acquire space for a lounge. Great times and ideas come from communal spaces where people are allowed to hone their creative minds in the midst of academia.
People quoted in the article seem to imply that Agora brings with it concerns about its neighbor's security. This issue has nothing to do with where we are now, and it should be of little to no concern for where we end up.
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Agora is a help line. The overwhelming majority of our contacts are phone calls. Walk-ins are only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, and people are only allowed three visits.
Many are students and staff because of the proximity. This is hardly the heavy traffic that some have been alarmed by.
The crisis center enhances security in many ways and has an effect on retention. Agora is the oldest campus-based crisis center in the nation that takes calls about anything.
We are for students, staff and the community. Students can call us about troubles or to bolster their success, self-awareness and mental health. Agora is a place to feel understood rather than alienated.
This can help all of us feel safer and increase retention. So close to the anniversary of the tragedy of Virginia Tech, we can recall how closely that school was scrutinized for the number of available mental health resources.
If such a horrible event ever befell UNM, God forbid, I am quite sure all of us would feel we might want to prioritize a crisis center over a student lounge.
Lastly, the crisis center does not offer counseling. Agora is a listening service. Not all problems need counseling and not everyone can afford it. People call us to be empowered to solve problems and expect to not be judged.
We offer referrals for the next step that might be counseling or some other service. Many counselors even use Agora in their clients' safety plans to ensure people get the support they need to adhere to their progress and goals.
Agora has improved and saved countless lives throughout its 37 years. We have the callers' comments and thanks to prove it. Thanks to the literally thousands of people who have supported Agora throughout its history.
Interestingly, the article was about a dormitory not getting the space it wanted for a hangout.
It should be considered, however, there was no outcry to ensure that space be found for UNM's crisis center that provides an invaluable service to the entire community.
Thankfully, there are a few administrators who have been on this already, but we can always use more support.
Jeremy Jaramillo
PR coordinator,
Agora Crisis Center
