Rowan University students rally for more mental health services following student death
Philadelphia InquirerNov 08, 2021
Nov. 9—A group of
University officials haven't released information about the death, other than to acknowledge a student had passed away. Neither have
"It really hit me hard because I struggled with mental illness before," said
Student suicides have shaken
Mirabella, who is serving as a spokesperson for the student group, said mental health needs are even more acute following the pandemic, which isolated and traumatized students. Nearly 2,000 have signed a change.org petition demanding better resources.
During the 2019 fall semester, three Rowan students died by suicide, more than school officials could remember happening at one time, prompting several hundred students and staff members to pack a campus ballroom and share their concerns. Some at the time expressed doubts about Rowan's ability to serve students in crisis and called for better mental health support.
Rowan officials say they have made much progress since then, noting a list of 18 improvements. Help is readily available in a variety of formats, including telehealth visits, they said.
"There is no wait-list anymore," said
The university added a team to triage students when they arrive or call for help. The school also has increased the number and diversity of counselors, now employing 15 full time. Rowan offers a variety of support groups, created a partnership with local mental health providers, and added training for staff, the university said.
Penn moves mental health and wellness programs under the direction of the provost
There were no student suicides last school year, Cardona said.
Mirabella called the university's comments as "a slap in the face." She said some members of her group have reached out for help and haven't gotten a timely response.
Nindi Georges, 18, a freshman from
She said she called the center several times on Monday but had to wait four hours to get a callback.
"I could only talk to him for a little bit because he was busy again," she said. "If someone was in a far worse situation than I was, who knows what could have happened in that four hours? So much can happen in four hours."
The group is calling for more funding and staffing for the wellness center. Georges said the center should remain open 24/7 through weekends. The center is currently open
Mirabella said she was upset the university hadn't provided more information about the recent student death, prompting students to hold the rally for change.
Cardona said the university was not releasing details out of respect for the privacy of the student's family.
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