Note: Read a Letter from the Editors regarding the Pacific Index’s reporting on this situation.
Student outcry for proper mental health services has gotten louder in recent weeks. Students have concerns regarding the Student Counseling Center (SCC) as a result of ongoing protests in response to an open student letter published Sept. 16 criticizing the university’s resources.
When asked about previous experiences with the SCC, Junior Ruby Smith explained her disappointment and distrust for the system. “I feel like since I wasn’t suicidal or in a severe crisis, they didn’t have time for me,” Smith said. She felt that she wasn’t getting the human contact she needed from the counselors and instead was receiving a treatment that was structured and premeditated. “I feel safe talking to them, I don’t know if they actually care. If they actually cared they would have asked more questions that would facilitate me opening up and actually talking about how I truly felt.”
Sophomore Tyler Burnett sometimes wondered if the counselors cared about him, though otherwise had a positive experience. “I do feel like their services are adequate. I went there seeking help for my anxiety and they were helpful in a very direct and accommodating way,” Burnett said. He stated that he didn’t feel like much was lacking and that the center was very upfront about what they were willing to do. “I didn’t feel deceived or disappointed at all.”
Some students, including Sophomore Jasper Pendino, had mixed feelings about their appointments with the SCC. “I think things could be better. I feel like I could tell that the counseling center wasn’t as good as a private practice would be,” Pendino said. He expressed that counseling can be very helpful and effective and that he believes that the SCC does the best they can.
Many students voiced their opinions on what the Student Counseling Center could change to be more effective. Anna Genise mentioned how underfunded the counseling center is. “The people I have seen there do really care, are good at their jobs, and want to help students, but they’re chronically underfunded,” Genise said, adding that, because of this, therapists have continually left due to being underpaid.
Most–if not all–of these students went to the Student Counseling Center for help around a year ago. Since May 2019, Laura Stallings, a licensed psychologist, has taken over as Student Counseling Director and has ushered in many new changes at the center. This year, the SCC has four licensed psychologists, including Stallings, two Masters level psychologists, and two Doctoral level trainees.
Stallings stated that in the past five years, the utilization of counseling centers across the nation have increased by 50%. She was able to advocate for additional funding for the center to hire additional therapists, meaning only three students were put on the waiting list last year. So far this year, the center is not on a waitlist.
“We’ve expanded our services,” Stallings said. “We now have a 24/7 support and crisis line where students have access to Masters level support clinicians at any point in time.”
In addition to their expanded crisis line, the SCC has also been developing creative solutions for students in response to COVID-19 restrictions, including a playlist on Pacific’s official YouTube channel with pre-recorded, skill based sessions around coping, muscle relaxation, and building emotional resiliency; “BIPOC Let’s Talk” sessions on Mondays from 11 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. which provide informal drop-ins with BIPOC counseling staff via Zoom; as well as drop-ins and virtual walk-ins for students who need to be seen immediately. Services at the SCC are free and don’t need insurance. Students are only able to take 10 counseling sessions per academic year, though there are some exceptions to this rule.
Stallings asked for students to give the counseling center feedback and criticism either through her or Narce Rodriguez, Chief Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Pacific University, so that concerns can be investigated. “[Student] voices are really critical,” Stallings said. “We don’t always necessarily know when students have not had a positive experience. We really welcome feedback from students.”
Students in need of immediate care can contact the SCC; call the 24/7 crisis line at 503-352-2999; find crisis resources on the SCC website; call the Trevor line, which specializes in helping LGBTQIA+ individuals who are under 25, at 1-866-488-7386; or text “Steve” to 741-741 to access the Steve Fund, which is a text line where people have training to help students of color. — Grace Alexandria & Emily Rutowski
As our goal is to lift up the voices of the community at Pacific, we welcome any comments, feedback, or concerns you may have regarding this or any other situation. Feel free to write us a letter with your thoughts and opinions and send it to letters@pacindex.com.
Photo: The Student Counseling Center located across the street from Pacific’s campus (Spencer Hills)
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
Hobbies: soccer, track, being outside, hiking, writing
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