Strategies for Addressing Mental Health Support on Campus

This issue of Policy and Practice offers counselors and student affairs professionals strategies to effectively support the mental health needs of today’s students. Students require transparent, connected, and flexible systems that meet the full range of mental health needs. To achieve such systems, institutions must have a robust infrastructure in place that includes a clearly defined scope of service that best fits the campus context; well-documented policies and procedures centered on equity and in alignment with applicable legal and ethical standards; and mechanisms for cross campus communication, assessment, and ongoing improvement. This brief overviews relevant federal legislation and liability concerns, highlights trends in counseling center practices, and offers recommendations for campus mental health policies and practices.