Checklists for Colleges and Counseling Centers

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College Checklist For Counseling Review

-What is the expected scope of service inside the counseling center, and what are the resources outside? You can anticipate that somewhere between 10 and 25 percent of students ought to use the counseling service and that antidepressant medication will be one of the highest pharmacy costs. These medications are necessary and unaffordable for many students, so consideration about availability must be discussed. It is a challenge to have reasonable coverage and keep the benefit affordable. Considerations should include

1. Programs for outreach and education to students, faculty, and staff
2. The amount of therapy to be provided inside and what ­ insurance resources are available outside
3. The amount of medication coverage and monitoring

- Are there consistent assessments across providers and centers (if more than one)? Who oversees mental health care for the community? Is there a central reporting structure?

-How do academic counseling, support, and disability assessment get addressed with respect to counseling?

- How can you best ensure oversight and integration of mental health care across the campus? I would make a strong recommendation for a structure or coordinating board that would involve the counseling service, student health service (if separate), and representatives from the dean's office, the residence office, the chancellor or provost, and perhaps students. Among larger schools, this would present an opportunity for schools to learn from one another and share expertise. When a crisis occurs in one setting, lessons learned can be carried over to others. Having the provost or chancellor represented provides leverage and support for education or outreach programs. This also affords the opportunity for integrated efforts in such areas as disaster planning or dealing with serious campuswide issues such as alcohol abuse and depression.

-What is the make-up of your institution, and are the various constituencies (international students, different cultures of individuals and programs) served by the counseling service? Does the center reflect the cultural diversity and sensitivity of the community in its staffing? Can it meet the clinical demand along with providing the other essential services described above? 

- Are time and resources provided for education and outreach to the community? Does the counseling service play an active role in the community? Educational programs to recognize common mental health problems and manage stress should be an integral part of every school's curriculum. Stress is an important part of college life and will affect about 50 percent of students. Stress management is part of a well-rounded college education designed to maximize the short- and long-term potential of students.

Counseling Service Checklist

-What is the make-up of your staff and how does it fit with the demographics and needs of the student population? Do you have prescribers and clinicians with sensitivity to the diversity of your student body?