This year the NCAA sanctions have not been the only disappointing surprise to many students on campus. Many students and faculty were informed last semester that the university only had one psychiatrist available for both Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF students. That translates to one psychiatrist for 26,000 students. SU, in response to criticism, hired a psychiatric nurse practitioner in January, which now leaves students with a ratio of 1 in 13,000. At any rate, leaving many students who utilize services feeling that a wait time of upward of three weeks in some cases for appointments is far too long. We would agree, arguing that health services aren’t beneficial to students, if they can’t gain access to health professionals in a timely manner.

With mental health getting little attention from the administration, as portrayed in the quick Board of Trustees response to the NCAA scandal juxtaposed against the “no comment” response given on mental health last semester, campus organizations like Active Minds have attempted to advocate on the behalf of students. In less than a week, on April 20, Active Minds will be bringing “Send Silence Packing” to the Quad, to emphasize the life and death consequences of mental health services.

Send Silence Packing is an event that features 1,100 backpacks set up on the quad, one backpack to represent each of the 1,100 students on college campuses that commit suicide each year. We hope it will serve to change the conversation among students and faculty surrounding vital mental health services. Please help end the silence by about suicide this week. Stop by the Quad and spend a moment in reflection on these young lives lost and how we as a campus, can build a safer, kinder, more informed community.

On behalf of Active Minds

Ming Cooke ’18

Information Management & Technology Major

Communications Chair- Active Minds

Ella Mendonsa ‘15

Political Science & Policy Studies Major

Middle Eastern Studies & Economics Minor

Membership Chair- Active Minds

 

Published on April 15, 2015 at 11:49 pm