A Moment That Changed Everything
Responding to a Student’s Call for Help
University of Houston faculty and staff work in the heart of a bustling university campus and move in a symphony of purpose and ambition: Student wellbeing and success is in their hands. Within this orchestration, sometimes there are quieter, somber tunes that can go unheard.
Isabella, a recent graduate, is one such note. On the outside, her future was gleaming with potential as she is the first in her family to attend college and nearing graduation. Inside, she was fighting a battle that few knew about. She felt isolated and the weight of the world pressing down on her. Last spring, she sought refuge in a campus restroom, letting out her emotions in the form of silent tears.
But that day, destiny had other plans.
As Isabella’s mother writes in a heartfelt letter to UH President Renu Khator, a UH employee walked into the restroom that day and changed the course of Isabella’s life.
"I didn’t leave her side until help reached her"
Meet Evelin Osorio
Evelin Osorio works on the UH catering team and was preparing for an event nearby. Accustomed to serving others and ensuring their comfort, Evelin heard the muffled sobs and sensed Isabella’s distress.
“As a mother I tend to be a very caring person, so I was able to sense that this young lady was under a lot of distress, she looked helpless. I offered help and tried to assure her that she was not alone, and that help was on the way. I didn’t leave her side until help reached her,” Osorio said.
“She talked to my daughter, reassured her and told her that everything would be good … not to do something that later she could regret it,” recalls Isabella’s mother.
That chance encounter, a fleeting moment in time, left an indelible mark on Isabella's life.
“Thanks to the fact that she [Evelin] was there at the right time, my daughter is here with me,” her mom said.
“Now more than ever, I understand that sometimes the little things can make such a big difference in someone’s life. Extending a helping hand or simply giving someone a space to talk and listen can go a long way,” said Osorio.
Evelin Osorio changed the trajectory of a student's life by responding to a stranger’s quiet call for help. Her story is a testament that every individual, irrespective of their role on campus, has the power to make a difference.
Share your stories of Cougar kindness and care by emailing uhcomms@uh.edu
For a list of mental health resources available to UH students, faculty and staff, visit the CoogsCARE website.
Need Support Now?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call CAPS crisis support 24/7 at 713-743-5454, or for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call or text 988, or chat online at 988 Lifeline Chat and Text.
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