Campus counseling center understaffed
 

University Wire –The Poly Post
February 26, 2008
 
As many universities are pumping additional funds toward student counseling services following several school shootings last week, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Cal Poly’s Counseling and Psychological Services has been denied funding for additional psychologists due to budgetary reasons.
The International Association of Counseling Services states that universities should have one professional counselor per 1,500 students. The national average is one counselor per 1,969 students.
Cal Poly has a ratio of one counselor to every 2,850 students.
“Having more counselors at CAPS would not guarantee something like what happened at [Virginia Tech] or [Northern Illinois] won’t happen at CPP, but as long as available services lag behind other students’ needs, more of them who could potentially be a danger to themselves or others will fall through the cracks,” said Dr. Michele Willingham, director of CAPS.
CAPS is able to see an average of 30 to 35 contacts a day, but it can take up to three to four weeks for a student to see a counselor for the first time, according to Willingham. Students are often placed on a waiting list, and those who have private insurance are referred off campus.
Those who need urgent care, however, are able to see a counselor the same day, which can be classified as a walk-in or crisis, according to Dr. Nicole Ruzek, a psychologist and research coordinator at CAPS.
Within the past year, one-third of college counseling centers in the nation saw a 15 percent budget increase in counseling services, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Sixty-three percent of these centers have hired a psychiatrist as well. Cal Poly also lacks a psychiatrist.
“Not having a psychiatrist, to me that’s irresponsible,” said Ruzek. “You’re asking for trouble. Also, we are definitely in the minority with regard to the number of CSUs that have a psychiatrist. Only six of the 23 CSU campuses report not having a psychiatrist.”
Dr. David Herzog, clinical services coordinator, also sees the lack of a psychiatrist to be negative.
“It’s incredibly unfortunate that we’re one of the CSUs that doesn’t have a psychiatrist,” said Herzog. “We’re in dire need.”
CAPS currently has seven full-time counselors, including five licensed psychologists, one licensed marriage and family therapist, one marriage and family intern and three unpaid psychologist trainees. Only five positions are permanent, while two are temporary.
Some students believe this is an insufficient amount of counselors to aid students.
“Five [permanent counselors] is too low of a number,” said Andy Ablott, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student. “If someone can’t walk in and talk with [a counselor], five is too little. [Students] shouldn’t have to come back a day or two later.”
Nancy Reveles, a fourth-year animal science student, agrees that more counselors should be hired.
“Because of the shootings, I do believe [CAPS] should have a sufficient amount [of counselors],” said Reveles. “If people have to wait a few days, they should have more.”
Willingham said that with the potential budget cuts, CAPS could lose more staff members.
She said that the increase in college students wanting to see a psychologist is growing.
“There are a variety of factors responsible for increased demand: today’s students have more pressures and time demands than ever, with most having to work while attending school,” said Willingham.
“As professional therapy becomes less stigmatized, more students are willing to seek help from a counselor, and more and more students are arriving at colleges having already undergone some type of mental health treatment or already taking prescribed psychiatric medications,” she said.
Ruzek also noted the growing demand for college counselors.
“Students on campuses are more severe than ever before,” said Ruzek. “It seems like it’s a national thing, not just [something that is occurring] here.”
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, 85 percent of students who visit counseling centers have already experienced issues in mental health.
It is unsure if additional counselors will be hired at Cal Poly, but in the meantime, the university is implementing Connect Ed, an emergency alert system in preparation of crisis.
Herzog believes this is an important system, but counseling services are also vital.
“It’s important to have the ability to respond to campus situations as well as trained police,” said Herzog. “Prevention is also important because you’ll minimize things evolving into a crisis.”
Willingham believes Student Health Services is extremely helpful in aiding student success.
“While it might sound melodramatic, in some cases a student’s very life could depend on their having access to professional mental health support,” said Willingham. “But even beyond these somewhat rare, life-threatening situations, we know from our outcome assessments that even a very brief therapeutic encounter can significantly reduce a student’s level of distress and provide them with tools to help break down the barriers to their success.
“Thus, for the student trying to succeed, access to mental health services when needed is crucial.”

Copyright 2008 The Poly Post
(C) 2008 The Poly Post via U-WIRE