Chancellor David Wilson's column
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: News
Did you know that nationally, one student out of every eight uses campus mental health services? Help for depression, anxiety, excessive alcohol use, drug abuse or other problems is available on campus. Chancellor David Wilson's column explains the facts and where to go for help.
Campus Offers Mental Health Services for Students
By David Wilson,
chancellor University of Wisconsin Colleges University of Wisconsin Extension
Do you know anyone who has problems with binge drinking or anorexia?
Have your grades ever suffered because you were anxious or depressed?
Have you ever felt like hurting yourself or someone else?
If the answer was yes, you are not alone. Nearly half of students report having some mental health issues during their college careers.
That's why the Board of Regents will consider a resolution at their December meeting to require the UW Colleges to offer mental health services.
Starting in the 2008-09 academic year, students have had access to an online health website, Smart + Healthy, which includes a useful self-assessment tool for common health risks. All campuses now offer on-campus counselors. Depending on the size of the campus, counselors are available between six and 20 hours per week. Students are entitled to four free face-to-face counseling sessions. After that, they are referred to community resources. Check your campus website for information, or contact your Student Services office.
These services are funded by segregated student fees and that has naturally led to questions by some students about who uses these services and who benefits. In fact, mental health problems are distressingly common on campus.
Nationally, one student out of every eight uses campus mental health services, according to a 2007 survey by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. The problems can be serious.
A 2006 National College Health Assessment found:
-More than nine percent of students have seriously considered suicide.
Campus Offers Mental Health Services for Students
By David Wilson,
chancellor University of Wisconsin Colleges University of Wisconsin Extension
Do you know anyone who has problems with binge drinking or anorexia?
Have your grades ever suffered because you were anxious or depressed?
Have you ever felt like hurting yourself or someone else?
If the answer was yes, you are not alone. Nearly half of students report having some mental health issues during their college careers.
That's why the Board of Regents will consider a resolution at their December meeting to require the UW Colleges to offer mental health services.
Starting in the 2008-09 academic year, students have had access to an online health website, Smart + Healthy, which includes a useful self-assessment tool for common health risks. All campuses now offer on-campus counselors. Depending on the size of the campus, counselors are available between six and 20 hours per week. Students are entitled to four free face-to-face counseling sessions. After that, they are referred to community resources. Check your campus website for information, or contact your Student Services office.
These services are funded by segregated student fees and that has naturally led to questions by some students about who uses these services and who benefits. In fact, mental health problems are distressingly common on campus.
Nationally, one student out of every eight uses campus mental health services, according to a 2007 survey by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. The problems can be serious.
A 2006 National College Health Assessment found:
-More than nine percent of students have seriously considered suicide.
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