At the last UNC-system Association of Student Governments meeting, campus mental health services were a prominent point of discussion.
Our University has strong programs available through Counseling and Wellness Services at Campus Health.
However, UNC should more actively promote and market its services to students to change the campus culture and stigma regarding mental health issues.
This fall, the University removed the cap on the amount of brief therapy sessions available for students. The cap was previously at between six and eight sessions.
The updated policy does not require a co-pay for student sessions. The sessions are funded by student fees.
Still, students needing long-term therapy will be referred to a community provider, so they can build a strong relationship with their counselor after receiving an initial evaluation from Counseling and Wellness.
Counseling and Wellness is shifting resources as it prepares for the increase in students using the sessions.
Last year, 12 percent of students on campus utilized the available services.
That is just roughly half of the amount of students who admitted they have suffered from such terrible depression they found it difficult to function.
