If the University of Virginia has always had mental wellness as central focus, then the series of mass shootings, in which students lost their lives, has strengthened its resolve to provide better access to mental health resources. However, this is a year-round task for the wellness experts and care-providers at the institution.
According to Hillary Barry, the peer health education coordinator at the University’s Office of Health Promotion, one of the first steps to increasing access to mental health resources is to remove the stigma and misconceptions that surround mental illness. ‘38% of UVa students felt they needed help with mental health in the past year. [Being aware that these problems exist] is much more important to a successful college experience than students might realize,’ she said.
Jamie Leonard, director of the Office of Health Promotion, noted, ‘We’re looking at the needs of the students, and more students come into the University with a diagnosable mental disorder. We are better at diagnosing now.’ The main arm of the University’s attempts to address the students’ mental wellbeing is the Student Health’s Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides access to counselling, sponsors mental wellness events and runs a strong suicide prevention programme. Interim Director Matt Zimmerman said, ‘The policy is strong, and may contribute to reducing the risk of suicide at U.Va. The suicide rate is one-third of the national average for public universities our size.’
However, when first year student Jake Cusano did commit suicide, the coordinated response of the various mental health organisations the University has in place, showcased them all at their best. The Office of the Dean of Students identified students most in need of support and reached out to CAPS, who then teamed up with resident life to hold hall meetings in Cusano’s dorm.
According to Cusano’s close friend Andrew Kwon, the 2016 First Year Council president, the resident life community was a great resource for grief-stricken students. ‘The RA in Jake’s hall is doing a really good job of getting everyone on the same page and keeping everyone in perspective. We leaned on each other during that time period, [and] made sure to continue communicating.’ CAPS Crisis Management Coordinator Lenny Carter spoke about the grieving process at the vigil, which, to Kwon, ‘showed everyone that came how strong the U.Va. community and support system we have really is.’
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