ISU Student Counseling Service has begun offering support to students affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Ronald Jackson, staff psychologist for the student counseling service, hosted the first support session Thursday night in room 230 of Memorial Union. He said it is important to address the different ways people cope with tragedy.

“At first, people are dealing with coping and surviving,” he said. “Afterward, they may experience worry, fear and anger about how it was handled.”

Jared Austin, sophomore in chemistry, arrived in Ames on Sunday after evacuating his home in New Orleans where he attended Southern University at New Orleans. At least three of his friends from SU now attend the University of Iowa, but he is the only SU student he knows of at Iowa State.

Austin said he came to the support session to meet other students willing to share their stories.

After the hurricane hit, Austin walked for a day and a half to the convention center in New Orleans where he spent three nights surrounded by fights and rampant drug and alcohol abuse. He did not know where many of his friends and family members were. Austin said he kept a cool head, though.

“It was out of our hands. There’s no point in getting upset about it,” Austin said. “I adapt to situations and manage crisis very well. Now it’s like the hurricane never hit.”

Jackson said not all people handle crisis like Austin. Some may feel sad and depressed over the loss of their possessions.

During the session, Austin connected with LeQuetia Ancar, a graduate student in agricultural and biosystems engineering, who has family from the west bank of New Orleans. She offered Austin support and a ride to Iowa City to visit his friends.

“I feel helpless because I can’t do anything but send monetary help,” she said. “I’m more than willing to help in any way that I can.”

More counseling support sessions are planned, but a schedule has not yet been made. Those interested in attending a support meeting can contact Ronald Jackson at [email protected].