NC State University Addresses Campus Mental Health Crisis Amid Surge in Student Deaths
In the wake of a distressing increase in student suicides on campus, NC State University is taking proactive steps to address the mental health crisis among its students. Last year alone, the number of students who tragically took their own lives was alarmingly high, and the new academic year has already seen one heartbreaking loss. These devastating incidents have prompted the university to implement measures to combat the mental health challenges faced by its students.
Taquan Dewberry, a first-year computer science major and aspiring student senator at NC State, has made mental wellness a priority in his campaign. Having recently experienced the adjustment period himself, Dewberry empathizes with his fellow students and recognizes the urgent need for support. He believes that the university’s response thus far has fallen short, emphasizing the importance of not just reminding students about available resources, but also offering them the respite they may desperately need.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, NC State has partnered with experts in suicide prevention to enhance its response strategies. The university has significantly increased the number of clinicians on campus, ensuring that students have access to therapeutic support when they need it. Free telehealth therapy services have also been made available, enabling students to seek help remotely. Furthermore, staff members are undergoing new training programs designed to equip them with the necessary skills to identify warning signs and offer effective assistance.
One key initiative that Adam Bryant Miller, a research clinical psychologist at RTI International, endorses is the implementation of a campus gatekeeper program. This program trains peers, friends, and student leaders to recognize signs of distress, appropriately respond to peers expressing suicidal thoughts, and connect individuals with the required mental health resources. By increasing self-efficacy and knowledge regarding suicide risk factors, gatekeepers play a vital role in early intervention and support.
NC State’s commitment to addressing the mental health crisis is also evident through its Wellness Day events. The first Wellness Day of the academic year was held on September 19, with another scheduled for February. These dedicated days allow students to focus on their well-being, offering a break from academic pressures and a chance to engage with support services.
While NC State’s efforts are commendable, there remains a gap in connecting individuals to mental health services effectively. It is essential to bridge this gap by strengthening awareness, removing stigma, and ensuring that students feel empowered to seek help when they need it. Dewberry echoes this sentiment, advocating for the continuous improvement and expansion of resources available to students.
The university’s commitment to addressing the mental health crisis on campus is crucial in safeguarding the well-being of its students. By continuously striving to provide comprehensive support services, increasing awareness, and improving access to mental health resources, NC State aims to create a healthier and more supportive campus environment for its community.
Keywords: NC State University, campus mental health crisis, student deaths, suicide, mental wellness, mental health resources, suicide prevention, gatekeeper program, therapy services, Wellness Day, well-being, academic pressures, support services.
