Mental health services around the region offer many ways to alleviate stress

College students need mental health services in increasing numbers, according to a recent study by the American College Health Association.

In response, college campuses have been improving and expanding their health services programs to offer more accessible and comprehensive care. According to the National Survey of Counseling Center Directors, most counseling center directors have reported even greater demand for services than their resources will allow.

Though Tufts offers a wealth of services, many are underutilized according to Health Services Director Michelle Bowdler.

The American College Health Association estimates that about ten percent of students now enter college with a prior diagnosis of depression or other mental illness. This trend has been coupled with an increase in suicide attempts and suicides among students, indicating that despite the increased efforts of colleges at support, many students are still not getting the help they need.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina suggest that this downturn in mental health may be due to "increasing workload and a rapidly growing and increasingly competitive world marketplace that demands students have increasingly well rounded backgrounds to ensure success." Such demands, however, may also lead to increasing depression in students.

"Another reason may be recent economic slumps, which loom large over the heads of soon-to-be graduates seeking jobs. Graduates must be sharp, well-rounded, upstanding citizens in today's global market. Competition is fierce, cutthroat, and many do not feel they can stand up to the challenge or even have the time," added the North Carolina researchers.

To help students cope, the Tufts Counseling and Health Services Centers offer services for the entire campus population. Individual counseling with trained professionals is available through appointment at the Tufts Counseling Center.

"Students come in to talk about anything from roommate difficulties to indecisiveness about majors to depression," counselor Pamela McCarthy said. Counselors also act as consultants to the leaders of various student groups such as Ears for Peers and the Latino Center.

"Our job is to care about students when they are [both] well [and] sick," Bowdler said. Health Services sponsors many outreach programs on campus to ensure that they "are not just a building", but are making themselves accessible and known to the student body.

These programs include occasional talks at residence halls at the request of Resident Assistants, distribution of information in the campus center and at booths during special events, and courses taught through the Experimental College.

The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) also works directly with Health Services in order to evaluate student satisfaction with Tufts Health Services programs and policies, identify student needs, and ensure that those needs are met with appropriate services and care.

In comparison with other schools, Tufts has more counselors available than at Amherst or Williams. However, other schools like Dartmouth and Bowdoin offer a larger variety of services.

At Dartmouth, counselors and faculty lead weekly student groups that focus on anything from future planning, to the experience of being the child of an alcoholic. Bowdoin offers yoga classes, meditation workshops, and spirituality retreats.

Despite the national mental health trends and improved services, many schools find that only a small percentage of the student body actually utilizes these mental health services -- just ten percent of students do so at Tufts. At Bowdoin, only five to six percent of students use the services, said Jeff Benson, Bowdoin Director of Health Services.

Students cite a lack of connection with the counselors as a reason not to participate.

"Maybe if I knew the counselors better -- if any of them had a relationship or any sort of connection with me -- I would feel more comfortable going to them with problems," one Tufts student said.

Williams, for example, has been able to set up advising groups or panels through which counselors can get to know students more personally.

Some Tufts students, however, say they do not use the mental health services, simply because they are unsure of exactly what is offered. Tufts Health Services tries to publicize their services through pamphlets, websites, campus publications, and every event they sponsor or participate in. In addition, Health Services recently formed a group to improve student accessibility and outreach, Bowlder said.

However, "We cannot help that not everyone looks at everything," Bowdler said.

Bowdler encouraged students who need help to take the next step. "We would like to get out the message that it is no weakness, but actually an act of bravery, to wonder if the feelings you're having are also normal," Bowdler said.