At this point in the semester, tensions are high. Whether it be course work, class registration, personal conflicts or politics, there are plenty of things that can stress students.
While these may seem like small obstacles to some, to others they are larger contributors to an overall sense of emotional and mental tension. And with tensions so high, many students are tackling the obstacles of their mental health.
Confronting one’s mental health is not an easy thing to do and professional help is often required. For this reason, many will turn to the University of Idaho’s Counseling and Testing Center (CTC) for the wide range of free services it provides. Unfortunately, though, those services may not be as attainable as necessary.
Depending on the time of year, business at the CTC fluctuates and the availability of appointments can be lacking. At its peak, students who go into the CTC can expect to wait several weeks before attending an initial appointment. This is disheartening for many reasons.
With mental illness as stigmatized as it is, it can be a difficult task for many to admit to themselves that they might need some form of help. Beyond admitting that it might be a problem, it’s even more difficult to seek out a professional and actually get that help. There are countless opportunities for a person to convince themselves that their concerns are either unfounded or that they can manage it themselves.
Doesn’t it make sense then to eliminate as many obstacles as possible from that person’s path? How is a person supposed to respond when they make themselves vulnerable enough to ask for help, and are told that they must wait weeks before their struggles can be made a priority? When a person asks for help, they’re not asking for help eventually — they’re asking for help immediately.
The only other option for students who are processing uncomfortable emotions is the campus crisis line. However, I take issue with this option. First, the crisis line should be left available for students who are at risk in an undeniably critical situation and it’s not the proper space to confront common issues. Second, the name discourages those who might need it from actually using it. The word “crisis” is off-putting. Nobody actually thinks they are in a crisis situation until they take the time to reflect. Clearly a visit to the CTC is the best option for students who are struggling. Speaking from the perspective of someone who has utilized the invaluable resources provided at the CTC, I am not attempting to diminish or devalue the work of those at the center. I am merely suggesting that the university should place these services as a higher priority. It is obvious that the services are being utilized by students. So why aren’t they more readily accessible?
The CTC is wildly underfunded and understaffed. While this is a complicated issue to confront, it is a necessary conversation and a reevaluation of university funding is essential.
In my personal experience, I have encountered a number of instances of frivolous spending on the university’s part, and I am not alone in noticing this misuse. On one particular instance I became very frustrated when leaving the CTC with hardly any appointment options, when I could walk into a university function to find napkins individually stamped with “The University of Idaho” in silver lettering. That said, I understand that the napkin budget is not going to single-handedly fund the CTC, but these small things add up in the long run.
Whether or not mental illness is a priority on an individual basis, it should be a priority for UI as an institution. Conversation regarding the potential benefits of greater funding for the CTC should be at the forefront of discussion.
Austin Maas can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @austindmaas