To the Editor:
Last fall, my undergraduate advisor training began with the premise that our roles were to provide the first level of support for our residents. Everyone was ready to accept this responsibility on heavily discussed themes such as diversity, alcohol and sexual health, but mental health was notably absent, with the exception of extreme scenarios, where a resident was suicidal or physically harming themselves.
It didn’t really register as a problem with me until I heard my fellow UGAs discussing an individual who had expressed being depressed. Phrases like, “They were just having a bad day,” and “I wanted to tell them to man up,” left me baffled, confused and angry. How could individuals assigned to be the “first level of support” for students dismiss their mental health so flippantly? I wanted to say something, but I quickly realized that I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t have the skills to address the ignorant comments of supposedly “trained” advisors, let alone talk to a resident who might be dealing with a mental health problem.
Students are encouraged to reach out to peers who are “experts” in certain areas if they need help or advice. Among those easily available are Diversity Peer Advisors, Drug and Alcohol Peer Advisors and Sexperts. But there isn’t a student who is trained in general mental health issues. As a community, we need to ensure the safety and well being of our fellow students. That can’t happen if we continue to ignore mental health.
Kayla Wade ’16
First Year UGA
