Ohio State loses Fourth Student to Suicide in 3 Years | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Ohio State's Lack Of Mental Health Resources Is Outrageous

The lack of access to mental health care has led to four deaths in the three years that I've attended this school. When is enough, enough?

101
flickr.com
Flickr

I have had the honor of attending The Ohio State University for the last three years. I love this school; I have found a home, friends, and a passion for learning at this school. But when you love something, you have to call it out on its bullshit. In these last three years, four fellow Buckeyes have taken their own lives. It's okay to talk about the ugly parts of the things we love because we want to demand better from them. So Ohio State, I demand much, much better from you.

The outpouring of love from Buckeyes to the loss of life of one of our own is unwavering. We fight in their honor with outcries for better mental health resources on campus. But how many times do we have to ask? How many lives must be taken before the university hears our cries for help and takes them seriously?

Since the first death during my freshman year, students have taken to social media to share their frustrations with the school's mental health services and accessibility. In my own experience, I called to use one of ten free counseling sessions made available to students each semester. I saw a therapist at home and recognized the signs of me slipping. I was walked through a phone interview in which they collected my personal information, as well as my symptoms only to be told at the end of the conversation that no therapists were available to see me. I was then referred to an off-campus resource that wasn't guaranteed to work with my insurance and that I couldn't get to anyway because it required a car. I am lucky to have had a safety net of friends and family that caught me when my anxiety ultimately did catch up with me and I was unable to seek therapy. Some are not so lucky.

Following the next two deaths, Ohio State Undergraduate Student Government worked with President Drake to come up with a Mental Health Task Force. The force claimed plans to make mental health care a priority on campus, but last week we lost another Buckeye too soon. We see the school consistently investing in the football program, in "mental health programs" like bringing puppies to campus, and rallying media support for Urban during his suspension. But when it comes to getting to the root of the student body's issues with mental health, they fail us. Over the summer I also received an email that one of the campus resources, a women's sexual health, and advocacy clinic had been closed, citing understaffing-- like the mental health and counseling clinic.

Ohio State, President Drake, we don't want to play with damn puppies. We want counselors hired, we want accessible and affordable treatment through one of the most difficult times in our lives. We do not want another email letting us know about an incident on the roof of a parking garage followed by a list of campus resources that are not in fact, available. We deserve more than this. We deserve to be happy and healthy while attending the school we love, we deserve to not fear for our classmates. We deserve to walk through this campus without the guilt of not doing enough for friends to make up for the help that is not provided by the university.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

131509
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

30343
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

27895
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments