I'm sorry to say that I am not as excited about the Well Being Planas Ohio University's administrative staff seems to be. Although it is asmall step in the right direction, I'm appalled at the university'sdecision to start charging for counseling services.
I am pleased with many of the changes the Well Being Plan initiative isprepared to make. It will increase the number of psychiatrists onstaff, the hours of availability of psychiatrists to students andprovide a 24/7 crisis program. Charging students a quarterly fee toobtain counseling services, however, is completely inadequate. The feeonly covers 13 free counseling sessions a year, and then it charges $20per visit after that. With 13 free visits, that's about four visits per quarter, less than one every other week. Counseling is an ongoingprocess that requires effort and growth, and 13 visits interspersed between three 10-week quarters falls short of achieving effectivetherapy. Counseling is proactive and perhaps the most important servicethat a university can provide its students to ensure their good healthand safety.
College is a life-changing, sometimes scary andlonely, and above all, stressful experience. Separation, mass amounts of schoolwork and the desire to connect with others create a weary loadfor anyone to carry, especially young adults. Counseling is an integralpart of the coping process.
No student should be denied theright to counseling services if they should so need a listening ear and advice from professionals. In this respect, the Ohio University WellBeing Plan falls short of being an adequate health care plan. Counseling should be a free provided service by the university, andPsychiatric and Counseling Services should be easy to access andreadily available to everyone.-
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Letter to the Editor
