A petition entitled “Counseling Center Petition” is currently circulating at Salisbury University in hopes of improving the counseling services provided on campus. According to the petition Salisbury University’s Counseling Center currently has the same number of counselors today as it did in 2001, despite the increase of mental illness affecting college students. Salisbury University’s enrollment total was listed at 6,421 in 2001 and has increased to 8,657 in 2018. This a 35% increase over 17 years.
The petition cites the International Association of Counseling Services as advising universities to have a minimum of one full-time counselor (excluding trainees) for every 1000-1500 students. They also note that Salisbury University is well below the minimum standard, employing only 4.5 FTE counselor positions.
The petition writes “We, as a campus, sternly request that there be an expansion of the current Counseling Center, so that 1) more counselors are hired to meet the minimum IACS guidelines, 2) students have less of a waiting period for counseling, and 3) drop-in counseling times are created to serve students with an immediate need for attention.”
Statistics from the American Psychological Association emphasize troubling statistics obtained from college campuses. 21% of students who go to their university’s counseling center present with severe mental health concerns and 40% present with mild mental health concerns. Additionally, 36% of all college students suffer from depression.
This petition is important to ensure the safety and well-being of students and their mental health. Mandatory waiting periods and limits to the number of times students can visit per semester (eight) is counterproductive to providing students with the services they may desperately need.
To sign this petition you can go to: Ctrl+Click or tap to follow the link”>https://salisbury.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/162748
Questions about the petition can also be directed to the creators of the petition:
Jillian Scott – sgacos@gulls.salisbury.edu
Ben Lenox – sgavp@gulls.salisbury.edu