Universities are epicenters for students struggling with multiple mental health needs. Some are more apt to handle it better than others, but there are 3 ways my university makes it seem like they are handling mental health on campus when they actually aren't.

1. References

It may seem like a great idea that our university is referring us to professionals that are fit to deal with mental health, except the references are not deeply researched to be the best professionals for the university students, leaving young adults without easily accessible therapists or psychiatrists (and even ones that wouldn't be considered the best).

2. Celebrating Mental Health Awareness

It's a fabulous idea to bring attention to mental health and respect people dealing with mental health problems, but then you need to be able to address it directly with students instead of sending them to someone else.

3. Short-term care

While some form of care is provided for students, it is strictly short-term and then the student is referred to a long-term provider outside of the university staff. This means that a student has an expiration date before they must find their own way of both payment, and transportation to someone who can support them long-term.