In the wake of multiple student tragedies, at the UNC Board of Trustees meeting Thursday morning, conversation focused on campus mental health.
In October, two first-year students died by suicide just days apart from each other, leading the university to cancel classes for a “Wellness Day.” One month earlier, another suicide was reported at the Forest Theatre on campus.
Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, chair of UNC’s psychiatry department, said the national mental health crisis is dire, with the prevalence of mental illness in the United States increasing by 3-4 times over the course of the pandemic.
“With our youth, the mental health impact of the pandemic has been devastating,” Meltzer-Brody said. “This is something that needs all of our attention.”
Meltzer-Brody, alongside Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Amy Johnson, gave a presentation to trustees at their November meeting. She said the pandemic has been traumatizing for today’s youth.
“Mental health concerns amid college age students have more than tripled in the past year,” she said, “but what hasn’t tripled is the number of mental health clinicians.”
The need for more mental health resources across the nation, including at Carolina, has only increased in recent months. To address this growing need, UNC is set to host a Mental Health Summit on November 15 – of which Meltzer-Brody will facilitate.
This day-long, virtual event has three main focuses: campus culture, prevention and crisis services.
Meltzer-Brody told trustees that North Carolina is in the bottom 10, if not the worst in the country, in terms of state resources allocated for mental health. UNC leadership is looking to change that – at least for the campus community.
In the coming weeks, UNC will launch a campus-wide campaign called the Heels Care Network to promote and support mental health awareness.
“Check in with your colleagues and students regarding how they are doing,” Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said describing the upcoming campaign. “If you are concerned about someone, let us know. We will have, as part of the Heels Care Network, a reporting mechanism for you to share information about someone you believe needs help.”
Guskiewicz said the current mental health crisis on campus presents a “troubling pattern” that was apparent even before the challenges of the last 20 months – and addressing this issue will require collaboration, funding and new and improved programs.
As of October 25, the university entered a partnership with Uwill to provide teletherapy to students as a part of its Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). This will expand counseling services to times beyond when CAPS is typically open with the hopes of creating more accessible care and eliminating the waitlist.
Additionally, at the BOT meeting, Trustee Gene Davis highlighted System President Peter Hans’ $5 million commitment to provide additional mental health services across the UNC System.
“We have to, as a community, make time for each other,” Davis said. “Our students need to know how valued they are. We are there for you as trustees and as human beings. We encourage everyone to reach out.”
Also discussed at Thursday’s meeting, the Board of Trustees approved its final resolution detailing how power is delegated on campus. Plus, Roy and Wanda Williams were honored for their continued commitment to Carolina.
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