The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
NEW STUDENT EDITION
Tuesday, September 6, 2011- 5C
The.ichganDaiy,-micigada.yc.rNE.STDENEDTIOTusda , oebr 6..2011.-..
I
'U' offers students an array
of mental health resources
By SUZANNE JACOBS
Daily StaffReporter
March 29, 2011 - With a
single click on the University's
gateway website, a list of 25
mental health treatment cen-
ters, student support groups,
student organizations and web
resources appear.
Though the lint may look
complete, the University is still
trying to find the right bal-
ance of services to effectively
accommodate students' mental
health needs. Daniel Eisen-
berg, an associate professor in
the School of Public Health, is
leading a team on the Healthy
Minds Study that is working to
find that balance.
The HMS is an annual
national survey that explores
the prevalence of depression,
anxiety and eating disorders
among college students and
examines how many students
seek treatment for these condi-
tions. The survey is a collabora-
tion between researchers from
the School of Public Health, the
University's Depression Center
and the Department of Psychi-
atry within the University of
Michigan Health System.
Eisenberg and other
researchers working on the
study concluded that even when
students have access to free
I psychotherapy and health ser-
vices, they usually do not take
advantage of these resources.
Proposed explanations for the
findings include the lack of
knowledge among students of
the services provided, skepti-
cism about the effectiveness of
treatment and cultural barri-
ers.
Eisenberg said while these
issues are not unique to college
students, the nature of a college
campus makes it an ideal place
to study political causes.
"That's exactly what got
me so interested in this area
of study," he said. "Not so
much the idea that college stu-
dents have a disproportionate
amount of mental health prob-
lems, but it's more the oppor-
tunity that seems to be there
to have a positive influence on
mental health and the fact that
there are so many channels to
reach students and have posi-
tive effects."
Eisenberg distinguished
two major strategies to reach
students struggling with these
mental health issues - indi-
vidual interventions and public
health interventions.
More is known about the
effectiveness of individual
interventions like medica-
tion and psychotherapy,both
of which have proved to he
effective treatment options for
depression and anxiety, Eisen-
berg said. He added that public
health interventions, which are
aimed at a larger student popu-
lation and focus on preventa-
tive treatment and screenings,
haven't been extensively exam-
ined within college settings.
For University students, both
options are readily accessible.
The University's Counsel-
ing and Psychological Services
office offers therapeutic sup-
port, and the Department of
Psychiatry and the Depression
Center have clinical treatment
available. Other support pro-
grams on campus exist through
the Career Center, the Dean of
Students Office, the Spectrum
Center and University Housing
Residence Hall Programs and
Services. And if none of these
help students, there are more
than 15 other resources for stu-
dents to choose from.
Students will also have one
more option starting next week
when CAPS opens its new Well-
ness Zone. Located on the third
floor of the Michigan Union, the
new facility will feature tools
for relaxation like massage
chairs, a Seasonal Affective
Disorder lamp, stress reduction
programs and yoga and medita-
tion instruction.
Todd Sevig, the director of
CAPS, said having so many
resources is inevitable at a large
University like this, but it's
important to make sure each
one plays a unique role on cam-
pus.
While some may find it ineffi-
cient and overwhelming to have
so many options available for
mental health treatment, Vicky
Hayes, an associate director of
CAPS, said she thinks having
a diverse range of options is
important.
"I think the plus side of the
decentralization is maybe get-
ting to an option that feels like
a good fit," Hayes said.
Though students may pursue
any avenue of help they feel best
suits their needs, Sevig said he
hopes CAPS, which is free for
students, is the most accessible
student-friendly mental health
organization on campun."
Unlike other on-campus
mental health sites like the
Depression Center or the
Department of Psychiatry,
CAPS is strictly devoted to
addressingthe needs of Univer-
sity students.
In order to make it easier
for students to relate to their
counselors, Sevig said CAPS
has a staff that is diverse in age,
race and gender, which he said
is especially important for stu-
dents who come from cultures
that don't traditionally deal
with mental health issues.
Hayes, who directs a coun-
selor training program for
graduate students, said there
are currently 15 students from
different parts of the country
on this year's staff. Many of
them are in their early 20s and
can better relate to students
than the other staff members,
she said.
Additionally, CAPS current-
ly has five staff members who
were born and raised in dif-
ferent countries, according to
Sevig.
"Out of these 40 or so people
doing counseling, we can offer a
wide diversity that doesn't exist
... anywhere in Ann Arbor."
Accordingto the CAPS 2009-
2010 annual report, the demo-
graphic of students who use the
office's services matches that of
the greater student population.
Last school year, 3,362 students
sought services from CAPS, and
the year before, 3,127 students
received treatment from CAPS,
according to the report.
Eisenberg said his goal is to
make sure students who seek
that support get the best help
possible for their specific needs.
"That's kind of my overall
agenda," Eisenberg said. "My
research is to try to get more
information to sort of help us
say what is the optimal mix of
interventions."
University Locations
Law Quadrangle
The Law Quad is both an imposing and peaceful part of the University of Michigan
campus. When you walk through its Gothic archways, the first thing you notice are
the giant and wizened elm trees. Many students sit in the shade here during the
warmer months of the school year while studying and relaxing with their friends.
If the magnificent trees don't catch your gaze, you've probably been mesmerised
by a building that appears to be plucked straight from Hogwarts: the William W.
Cook Legal Research Building. Within this medieval looking building you will find
the most intense group of students on campus - Law students. Due to the intensity
of the law curriculum, nothing less than utter silence is accepted in this building
Though the Law Quad was initially constructed in the 1920s, this classic monument
to legal education continues to expand today, with its latest building located bey
tween Weill Hall and Hutchins Hall set to be completed in winter 2012.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
DO YOU FANCY YOURSELF A GRAMMAR
WIZARD?
Join the Copy section of The Michigan Daily!
Come to one of our mass
meetings at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 12,13,18 or 20 at 420 Maynard St.
STUDENT JOBS
help you cover your educational expenses
1817
NIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN l-f5M-ffpne+
DATE
PAY TO THE dm6( C$6
ORDER OF oLAr
yeaas looking for qualified Work-Study and non-Work-study students
VISIT THE U-M STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OFFICE WEBSITE:
Www.studentemployment.umich.edu
ERSTY FeMCn AN
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OFFICE-NIESIt TY*AnrOrM IMChIAn48109-1316
2500 StudentActiv i tes 2in *5Ey
www 4 763412dE l tm ntmloYmentumich .edu
WHAT DO
1HODES/MARSHALIUMITCHELL
SCHOLARS
DO AFTER THEIR STUDIES
Well, this guy became
president.
What will
you do?
Anything
you want.
Ie nld Slalebs Uo Aeri, ,992-2000
the United States of America, 1992-2000
You've written your own game plan
so far in life. Why not take it one step
further and become a Rhodes, Marshall,
or Mitchell Scholar?
If you have top grades, leadership experience,
and a passion to make a difference in the world,
please contact the Provost's council on Student Honors
at 734-763-8123 or visit the website at
www.provost.umich.edu/scholars/