With the surge in the mental health crisis among college students across the United States, questions regarding universities’ policies have been called into question. Many wonder if these colleges are providing an ample amount of support or services for students in need of assistance with their mental health conditions. With this, the question arises: Is Mississippi State University doing enough to help its students who struggle with mental health issues? Unfortunately, as of now, MSU is failing those who need support in this area.
According to the World Health Organization, there has been a 13% increase in the amount of mental health conditions, along with substance abuse disorders, in just the last decade. This is quite a significant growth in the population which needs assistance with their disorders. A rapid rise of failing mental health requires an increase in the number of professionals who are specialized to treat those with these conditions. Because of this need, the amount of trained professionals necessary has not caught up with the amount of people who require treatment for their mental health struggles, and MSU is no exception.
Currently, the university has a campus resource referred to as Student Counseling Services (SCS). According to Student Counseling Services, their goal is to help facilitate the social, psychological and academic functions of students in order to assist MSU and its academic mission. The website for SCS is where students can make an appointment which takes place via video conferencing or face-to-face. Hours available for appointments are located on the website as well. The service is only available on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., which are typically the busiest parts of a student’s day.
Not to mention, Student Counseling Services does not even have its own building reserved for students to see professionals. SCS is located in Hathorn Hall, which is also utilized as a residence hall for students. So, if a student was to make an appointment, they would have to enter into a building which others use as a place to reside in order to see a professional.
The problem is not just that, though. SCS has been so busy they cannot accommodate the influx of students who need appointments. Student Counseling Services does their best to provide students with the best possible treatment in a timely manner; however, they cannot provide an ample amount of help if students must wait nearly two months to even get an appointment. It is a disservice to students if their only mental health resource on campus is unavailable to use for long periods of time.
Beyond the overworked members of Student Counseling Services, the university has no preemptive policies in place for suicide prevention or mental health support besides a few days where mental health struggles are highlighted. According to  MSU’s Department of Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW), there is a backpack display, body positivity week and finals study break which are supposed to promote mental wellness. All are minute in impact, though.
Students crave practical solutions for the mental health issues currently plaguing the adolescent population. Sure, the initiatives taken by HPW inspire good spirits, but students need tangible options which will allow them to improve their mental health while maintaining good academic standing.
Even if the university cannot offer students what they need regarding support for mental health conditions, organizations on campus are inspiring change for the future of MSU. The Student Association Senate has recently passed a bill that would allow students and faculty to have one day away from class, per semester, free of penalty. This bill has been passed to promote the mental wellness of students and staff and is absolutely a first step in implementing practical solutions to this crisis.
Even though MSU has not yet reviewed this policy, hopes for change are high among the student body. MSU could do so much more for their students who struggle with mental health conditions, and imminent change is necessary for the well-being of college students.