By Zach Thomas
Arizona Daily Wildcat
After an extended absence, the ASUA student helpline began to accept calls from University of Arizona students and the surrounding community again this semester.
A decade-long program, helpline provides a confidential and anonymous outlet for callers dealing with everything from drug and alcohol-related problems to academic woes and beyond.
"We try to hear what (the callers) are saying and meet their needs," said Kelly Breen, psychology junior and director of the helpline.
The helpline ceased operations last spring due to management problems and cost-effectiveness concerns.
However, this year's program features a more concrete training program and thus a more knowledgeable, though still volunteer-based, staff, staff members said.
"We don't have degrees in psychology," said Locana de Souza, a wildlife ecology junior and three-year veteran of helpline. "We are nondirective and nonjudgmental and try to help our callers come to decisions by themselves."
The new training program involves a mandatory semester-long credited class (Psychology 399) to provide consistency and a number of model calls to test responses. Volunteers also must complete a number of monitored hours to confirm competency.
The helpline can be reached at 621-1000 from 5 p.m. until 12 p.m. from Sunday through Friday. Students interested in volunteering can pick up applications at the Associated Students' office during the week of Oct. 15. Interviews will be held the following week.