Last Monday's shooting at Virginia Tech has unearthed a multitude of issues related to campus safety.

Among them is the silent issue of student mental health, which, when misunderstood or underestimated, can be deadly.

In light of recent events, and with the number of students seeking counseling on the rise, the UW needs to reevaluate how it communicates with students about available resources.

A recent Seattle Times article reported that school counselors walk a fine line between student privacy and student safety. Many schools are also feeling a crunch for resources as more students seek help. According to the article, the number of students seeking services from UW's counseling center has doubled in the past two years.

This growing number is not necessarily a bad sign – it might mean more students with mental or emotional problems are trying to sort them out – but it also means the UW needs to step up to meet these needs.

First of all, students seeking help must be able to find it. Whether that means hiring more staff members, offering more group counseling sessions or creating campaigns to encourage people to reach out, there is no excuse for ignoring someone who is asking for help.

But some students who need help aren't seeking it. For these students, UW needs to take action to spread the word about counseling services.

When freshmen first set foot on campus for orientation, they need to know where to go for help. They need Schmitz Hall circled on a campus map. They need to see the faces of people who work in the counseling center. They need to know that they have resources. Out of all the issues raised by VA Tech's tragic shooting, the UW community should make this one a priority – it could make all the difference.