The Negligence of Mental Health in Universities- Why NOW Matters

Growing up in a South Asian household, mental health was never something we talked about. It was either dismissed as a phase or met with suggestions like “pray more” or “just be grateful.” Therapy was a foreign concept; it was something for people who were “actually sick,” not for someone like me, who was just struggling to keep up with the expectations of family, school, and life. With nowhere to turn, I bottled everything up.

But when I started my college career at Stony Brook University, I finally experienced a sense of independence. I realized that if I wanted to tackle my struggles, I had to start somewhere. So, I decided to seek therapy.

Walking into the university’s mental health counseling center, I felt nervous but hopeful. This was my chance to finally be heard, to let out everything I had suppressed for years. When I met with the counselor, it all came pouring out—family pressures, academic stress, personal insecurities, financial worries. She listened, nodded, and took notes. For the first time, I felt like someone was acknowledging my pain. But at the end of the session, she looked at me with an apologetic smile and said, “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to continue seeing you this semester. But you can come back next semester (in three months).”

Three months. Ninety days of waiting after finally building up the courage to seek help. I walked out of that office feeling more lost than ever. The system that was supposed to support students like me had just turned me away. I wondered how many others had faced the same disappointment. How many students had reached out for help, only to be met with waitlists and overworked counselors who could not give them the time and care they desperately needed?

This is why having more therapists on campus is crucial. Mental health accessibility should not be a privilege; it should be consistent and understanding. Students need therapists who aren’t overworked, who can meet with them regularly, and who reflect the diversity of the student body. Having therapists of color is especially important for students like me, who need someone who understands our cultural struggles, our family expectations, and the stigma we’ve carried for years. We deserve therapists who are not just sympathetic but empathetic, those who can relate.

I was lucky. I took the initiative to build my own support system, but not everyone has that opportunity. Many students are left feeling abandoned by a system that is meant to support them. We want to heal, we want to grow, but how can we, when the very system that is supposed to help is failing us? This is a call to action. Universities must prioritize mental health services, expand counseling resources, and hire therapists who can truly understand and connect with the diverse student body. Change is not just necessary—it’s urgent.

Rathi, Lamia, NY