In 2023, mental health is more important now than ever before. Between the surge of new technology and the COVID-19 pandemic, many people, especially teens and young adults, have been suffering with poor mental health. In a campus of over 20,000 undergrads, Clemson University has had a hard time keeping up with the psychological needs of students.
Due to limited availability of appointments, as well as some unhelpful resources, many students feel as though they cannot get the help they need on this campus.
In an effort to better the Counseling and Psychological Services here at Clemson, the Campus Advancement section of the Executive branch of CUSG has started an initiative to get better mental health resources here in Clemson, South Carolina. It is starting with an Instagram account @changecucaps in an effort to draw attention to this dire situation.
As of right now, Clemson University has a very limited number of psychiatrists and counselors and not nearly enough to help the entirety of the student body. CAPS needs more funding to hire more professionals and obtain a variety of resources to better assist all of the students at Clemson. As students ourselves, we have had our own issues making appointments with CAPS and getting the right therapeutic and medical treatment at this school.
Whether you, a friend or a peer needs help in the mental health field, you deserve to have the appropriate help available to you for no cost. If mental health help is important to you, we urge you to follow this Instagram account, as well as fill out the survey in our bio. By sharing your story, you can anonymously help others to stand up and speak out about the change needed on this campus.
Clemson cannot, and will not, be just another statistic of college suicides anymore. Please help us help you, to get the best free mental health program possible!
Kara Geantasio is a junior health science major and a member of the Clemson Undergraduate Student Government Campus Advancement Committee. Kara can be reached at [email protected].