Miami University Student Counseling Center Makes New Hires

BY ELISABETH DODD

Miami University student journalist

Miami University Student Counseling Center's new counselor will start Oct. 16, which is one of several recent moves aimed at prioritizing mental health services and reducing student wait times, authorities said.

The Student Health Center hired a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Pam Thomas-Warner, to address a four-week waiting time for students last year.

Last year, 11 percent of Miami students used counseling services, according to that office's records. In general, somewhere between 40 and 45 percent of students use the office's services during their time at Miami. The high demand for mental health services has led to long wait times that have frustrated students and counselors.

"Our wait times got uncomfortably long for the psychiatrist last year. It was four weeks before students could get into routine counsels for someone not in crisis. We all knew that it needed more help. Now students have the option to work with several people on medication management issues," said John Ward the Associate Director for Clinical Services.

Last school year, 348 people were put on the waitlist, though their wait could be anywhere from just a few days to several weeks. Students in crisis were seen more quickly, as the center has some emergency slots open.

Miami hired a consulting firm in 2016 to review its health and wellness areas. They recommended hiring more mental health counselors.

In addition to the new counselor starting on Oct. 16, the university has nearly completed its search for a second hire, bringing to 22 the number of counselors at the center.

As of right now, Ward said, there is no wait time for an appointment. Wait times do not include the first appointment which is an assessment that matches a patient with a counselor.

Mental health forum raises awareness

The start of this semester has included working with students to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Associated Student Government sponsored a Mental Health Forum in September to start a conversation.

The Miami University Student Counseling Center, along with the Suicide Prevention Team, made Sept. 25-Oct. 1 Suicide Prevention and Awareness week.

As part of the week, A Rock Garden of Hope was created where students painted positive messages on stones. Nearly $8,000 was raised in donations to go to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention as part of the Out of the Darkness 5k race, according to their event page.

Miami university sophomore Will Ziegert, Secretary for on-campus affairs, said the week was a success.

"We need to end the stigma behind mental health and that it's OK for people to seek assistance if they are struggling,'' Ziegert said. "That's why we have suicide prevention week."

Photo above: Rocks for The Garden of Hope that students have painted with positive messages -- Photo by Elisabeth Dodd.