The topic of mental health has become a conglomerate of a discussion topic. It becomes even more so when the younger generations pick up the talking stick to join in on the conversation. However, I would be remiss not to make note of the fact that since starting at Oakland University, it seems the school I’ve decided to go into debt to attend is rather insistent on keeping us from joining that conversation.

Something else I’ve come to notice is that the University is very willing to treat its students as adults when they seem to benefit from it. A struggle that comes with that, at least for the University Administration, is that we tend to notice. Especially when our mental health concerns are not being taken seriously. 

Like many people, when I’m left to my own thoughts, I try to figure out why things are the way they are. I’ve concluded that the administration doesn’t see mental health in the same level of importance as students do. What tends to be neglected is how much mental health impacts student academics. I’ve heard from plenty of students who intend to transfer from Oakland University next year because of how bad their mental health has gotten.

When you factor in the fact that most students don’t live on campus, have jobs, some have familial obligations, or have other outside commitments, balancing school on top of that is stressful enough. Going to a school that would opt to do the bare minimum to help them deal with that, only exasperates the issue. These conditions will produce students who either lack the energy to participate in class, or lack the energy to put effort into their work.  

Now, I have no intention of going on a rant claiming that Oakland University does nothing for their student population’s mental health. I will say however, that the limitations on the services they do provide have created an environment that can best be compared to telling your boss that you’re burnt out and then giving you a pizza party in return. I say this primarily because I learned the unfortunate news that Oakland University ranks the lowest in the state of Michigan in terms of counseling staff.

I personally think we pay too much money for that to be the case. Another factor that I feel should be underscored is the fact that many people can’t afford the resources offered by the University. I may be lonely on this limb, but I would take it a step further to say that students shouldn’t have to pay for the services for the simple reason that we already pay to utilize the resources this school offers. 

One of the reasons I was so eager to get involved with Student Congress was so that I could work to ensure the voices of the students were heard either through me, because of me, or because of something I did. In that spirit of advocacy, I think it important to make note of the fact that Oakland University not only has contractual obligations to the students, but moral ones. I have an obligation to the student populace for the fact that it is my job to represent them. It is the school’s job to ensure the students’ wellbeing and success. I am a very solution-oriented person, so I won’t list off a litany of problems without offering solutions.

I think the University would do well to offer better support resources for students. Offering a structural support system for students who are struggling academically because of their mental health would yield amazing results. The Counseling Center is proposing an increase in funding, which should be granted. Students should have access to better forms of communication when in a crisis. These are all things that this school should implement to ensure the betterment of the student experience and retention.

I refuse to believe that this University cannot do more than it currently is with mental health resources. I was raised to never waste potential, so one can imagine how I feel when I see my school doing it habitually. Our school has a duty to do better for us, and I intend to do everything within my power to remind them of that. They can do better therefore they must do better. A change most definitely must come.