Campus Cook House at capacity
The Cook House provides mental health services on campus to students, but is currently working at capacity, meaning they will still try to see students, but they may not be able to see students on a weekly basis in some cases. Students who may be struggling with mental health today might be put on a waitlist until spots open.
The Cook House provides a variety of services for its students including individual counseling, drug and alcohol evaluations, same day appointments and group counseling.
There can be multiple benefits to seeking help for mental health. Kaylin Sandall, a communication sciences and disorders senior at USD, has been going to the Cook House for counseling regarding anxiety and said the services provided to her have helped improve her condition.
“I feel a lot better coming here [the cook house.] It has helped me to overcome sickness anxiety gave me and taught me ways to deal with anxiety,” Sandall said.
Debra Robertson, director of the USD Student Counseling Center said in an email interview with The Volante that the Student Counseling Center has a waitlist for services because the number of students asking for services is higher than the number of available clinical hours each week, but they are working on hiring more counselors.
“We have added counseling staff over the last several years and will be adding an additional counselor soon as well,” Robertson said.
One student reached out to the Cook House in hopes to start counseling sessions but was met with the waitlist. The student said they felt being waitlisted to get mental health help is part of the problem with the system.
“There are not enough mental health resources, and it’s not just at USD. Being waitlisted made me feel like they want me to just put my problems on hold,” the student said. (Student asked to remain anonymous).
A counselor at the Cook House, Madison Harrington said options outside of the Cook House include the Psychological Services Center (PSC) and the Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) program. Harrington said the PSC and Counseling & School Psychological Services Center (CSPSC) is offering a program where students in training can meet with students while being overseen by a licensed professional.
“These programs are confidential and adhere to HIPPA laws on patient confidentiality and are a good alternative to the Cook House,” said Harrington.
Harrington said the TAO program allows students to work at their own pace and on their own.
“With the TAO app you can work through therapy programs, techniques, coping skills stuff you can utilize, whether it’s stuff on anxiety, depression, and there’s even programs on substance use,” Harrington said.
