Counseling Centers Lack Helping Hands
Much has been written and discussed about the increasing demand for mental health services on college campuses and the benefits they could deliver. However, results of a recent survey by the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors show that counseling centers remain understaffed.
The results — presented at the NASPA annual conference and reported by The Chronicle of Higher Eduction — indicate that the professional-staff-to-student ratio averages out to one staff member per 1,952 students. The group, however, indicated an ideal ratio of 1 staff person per 1,500 students.
When faced with low staff numbers, the importance of communication between staff (both counseling and housing departments), the students, and their parents becomes even more important. You can read more about this in the story “Widening the Safety Net,” available in the new print and digital issue of the Talking Stick magazine.
Tags: Mental Health, Students