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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah has seen an increase in the number of students seeking help for mental health issues, and the director of the U's counseling center says that's true for schools all over the nation.
“Counseling centers across the country are certainly facing a higher distress level with their students," Lauren Weitzman says, "and I think part of it is because students are just more comfortable coming into the counseling center and seeking help.”
Since the start of the fall semester, Weitzman says five students have been referred to the hospital by the counseling center. Nearly 12 percent of students visiting the center this fall have had suicidal thoughts, but Weitzman doesn’t believe there’s a correlation between that number and high profile suicides like 1998 Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams.
The university sent out an email to faculty and staff asking them to watch for students who may be showing signs of depression. The e-mailed letter acknowledged that the number of students seeking help is an increase from years past.
Weitzman applauds the school for its efforts to address this issue.
“I really appreciate President Pershing taking this issue seriously and informing our campus community that college is a stressful time,” Weitzman says.
The letter from President David W. Pershing to faculty and staff reads in part, "We know that many of our students strive to balance academic requirements with work schedules and family responsibilities. In addition, some of our students do all this while struggling with depression, anxiety, unexpected loss, or trauma."
It goes on to urge the staff and faculty to point students in need toward the campus resources that might help them:
- University Counseling Center, 801-581-6826
- Behavioral Intervention Team, 801-581-7066
- Dean of Students Office, 801-581-7066
- Center for Student Wellness, 801-581-7776
- Women's Resource Center, 801-581-8030
- Center for Disability Services, 801-581-5020 Additionally, KSL has collected a list of resources for suicide prevention, which can be found here.
