Mental health screenings offered
As students get ready for midterms, Mental Health Services officials warn people to watch for signs of depression and stress.
By Bill Morrison
Staff Reporter

The National Mental Health Association is calling on colleges to do more to prevent student suicides, but TCU’s policy remains unchanged because there hasn’t been a problem with suicide, Mental Health Services officials say. According to the latest National Survey of Counseling Directors, there has been an increase in severe psychological problems, including eating disorders and depression, over the past five years. Nationally, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death, but on college campuses it is second.

Monica Kintigh, a licensed professional counselor with Mental Health Services, said the program has not had a problem with suicide during her more than five years in it. She said the three most common cases of problems at TCU are depression, anxiety and relationship issues.

Diane Norton, an administrative assistant, said the university does not keep statistics on the suicide rate, nor can they release the information because of confidentiality rules.

The survey results have not prompted a change in the university’s programming for Mental Illness Awareness Week. On Thursday, professional staff members from Mental Health Services, formerly the Counseling Center, will offer students, faculty and staff information on the signs and symptoms of depression and will give in an anonymous screening as part of National Mental Health Screening Day.

With midterms approaching and the pressure of classes increasing, this is when many students have problems, said Kintigh. She also said the time period from Halloween to New Year’s Day are tough on everyone, because of all the stress from holiday preparation.

In addition to the screenings TCU’s Peer Counselors are sponsoring a table in the Student Center that will offer anti-depressant kits. The kits will contain information on how to take care of oneself, signs and symptoms of depression and maps to the screening sites.

Mental Health Services has two full-time and three part-time counselors and a psychiatrist. Director of Mental Health Services

Denis Atkinson is a psychiatrist, giving him the ability to prescribe medication if needed, Kintigh said. She said Atkinson is able to see a student within two weeks of being referred, as opposed to the three months it usually takes when you are referred to a psychiatrist in private practice.

If a student wishes to see a counselor, all they need to do is contact Mental Health Services or go to their office in the Health Center. Kintigh said what a student tells a counselor remains confidential unless the student signs a release form. Most of the time persons at risk will want help and sign a release, but without the release outside parties, including parents, can’t be informed, Kintigh said.

“I have an obligation if I think someone is in danger to themselves or someone else, to contact legal authorities or medical personnel,” Kintigh said. “My main duty is to save someone’s life.”

Mental Health Services also has three undergraduate students who do peer counseling and are available to do presentations in front of any organization. Kintigh said they are Mental Health Services’ major outreach program, and deal with issues including eating disorders and depression. The students are trained in basic helping skills so they can handle any questions arising from the presentations and refer them to the proper organization on campus, Kintigh said.

“Sometimes students would rather hear from other students about these (mental health) topics,” Kintigh said.

Kintigh said Campus Life is the first place people will go to get information on how to help someone they feel has problems. Mike Russel, associate dean of Campus Life, said any time students need help they can call Campus Life for assistance.