Like most students at Penn State I’m from Pennsylvania. Because of that I did not come to college alone. About six of my high school classmates came to Penn State with me. One of those classmates and myself bonded the common struggle we faced upon arrival to State College. We were coming from a tiny high school where we had been our whole lives. We knew everyone there, bonded with teachers, and could easily navigate the campus. To say that Penn State was an adjustment is an understatement.

I struggled with my mental health throughout high school. Because of this when I arrived at a new school in a new place and was struggling I had a support system. For my friend, however, the struggles he was experiencing were new to him. Based on my personal experience the best thing I knew to do for him was to recommend that he too find a support system. After hours of orientation meetings and online education modules I recommended he see CAPS.

His experience shocked me. When he sought help it turned out that it was immensely difficult for him to get an appointment at CAPS. Even once he could he found out they only offered one time appointments. Being someone who struggled with mental health I knew that there is no one time fix. I had been seeing people for help for years, and I still struggle. I began to wonder how one session could possibly do someone’s mental health justice. The more I thought about it the more dismayed I became.

Think about it. Our school is comprised of about 40,000 students. Not only is that a huge student body, being a student is a breeding grounds for mental health struggles. I don’t know exactly how many students here struggle, or how many seek appointments with CAPS, but I do know that my friend is not the only one struggling without a pre-existing support system.

Based on statistics from the Mayo Clinic, about 44% of college students report symptoms of depression. 44% of 40,000 is 17,600 students. Because of my ongoing support network, my experience with CAPS at Penn State is limited, but I can confidently say that I don’t think they have the tools to adequately aid 17,600 students with their mental health.

This is by no means a critique of those that work within the CAPS network at Penn State. The takeaway from this is that CAPS is grossly underfunded and undersupported. The availability of this system to our immense network of students is a vital resource, but a resource can only be impactful if it can be effectively utilized.

The University has a responsibility to be able to support us in the systems we need to be successful students, that includes our mental health. Students’ wellbeing is the first measure of success. So ask yourself, how confident are you that the University can support the mental wellbeing of 17,600 students? Is CAPS enough?

Resources

Druckenmiller, Reese. “College Students and Depression: A Guide for Parents.” Mayo Clinic Health System, Mayo Clinic, 19 July 2022, https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/college-students-and-depression.

Penn State. “CAPS Chat.” Penn State Student Affairs, Penn State University, 2022, https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/wellness-services/caps-chat.