In light of mental health awareness month on campus, this is the third
op-ed in a series on mental health resources at Harvard.

With papers to write, sports to play, and meetings to conduct, mental health inevitably gets brushed aside in the full calendar of a Harvard student’s life. Even for those students who understand the importance of mental health issues, taking care of one’s mental health requires time and energy that is hard to schedule in between sections and summer job applications. However, with 45 percent of college students reporting in a survey conducted by the American College Health Association that they have felt so depressed at some point during college as to be unable to function, putting healthy minds and spirits as priority on campus is an imperative. Of course, the University’s policies and resources regarding mental health issues can perpetually be improved, but to make an effective impact on campus mental health students must make their own and their peers’ mental health a priority in their daily lives.

The most prominent complaints about campus mental health center on Harvard’s Mental Health Services (MHS) at University Health Services and other mental health resources and policies. The first complaint is that “Harvard punishes those with psychiatric disorders.” This complaint can be dismissed because services are confidential and are designed to help students. The only time health care and administration collide is when discussing leaves of absence, but virtually all medical leaves of absence are voluntary and examined calmly by only those who absolutely need to know about the situation.

The second complaint, that “Harvard’s mental health care system is inadequate,” should be taken more seriously. Problems occur when understaffing keeps students from timely appointments, and unqualified clinicians provide students with insufficient care. These problems are not due to a lack of good intentions from administrators within the health care system, but from lack of funding from University administrators to allow for a larger staff and to better assess of current staff. Resources need to be expanded and better used. Mental health clearly needs to be a bigger priority on campus.

No one would contradict this. No student would say, “Mental health services shouldn’t be a higher priority of the administrations,” or even, “Mental health services here couldn’t be better.” But it is hypocritical to demand that the University make student mental health a primary concern when students won’t even do it themselves. While there should be no complacency in advocating for better care and policies on the side of the administration, students must also help themselves by accessing resources already in place, providing peer support, and making mental health a priority in daily habits.

While almost half of students reach a clinical level of depression, only a minority of those (and those with other mental health concerns) use the Mental Health Services, according to a history of science and psychology thesis by Judy Z. Herbstman ’07. This may be in large part due to understaffing, but other resources on campus are drastically underutilized as well. It often seems as if there are more peer counselors than students using peer counseling services. Students rarely approach proctors and tutors about issues of mental and emotional health. Yes, formal training for these positions on such issues should be decidedly augmented, but it is hard to justify such training when students do not approach people in those positions for help in those areas. Students must voice their concerns about resources, but also must use the beneficial ones already in place.

Another way in which students can promote their own mental health and that of their peers is to participate in peer support groups or events. The Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness Group holds regular events promoting such interactions, including the recent Tell Your Story Day and Mental Health First Aid program, as well as a weekly peer support group. Community Health Initiative Representatives hold study breaks and events through the houses. Organizations such as Christian Impact hold forums and host speakers on topics of student mental health.

Participating in formal campus peer support events—even just as a listener and supporter—is necessary to reduce stigma and show respect for other students. With so many sympathetic but Type A personalities here at Harvard, many believe that “it is fine for other people to have those problems—but not me!” How many students feel confined to the anonymous sites like tellyourstory.wikispaces.com and Bored@Lamont because they think their fellow students would look down on them as weak? Peer-to-peer stigma, a large reason why students don’t seek help or talk about their concerns, would be reduced by creating more and larger visible peer support groups and events on campus.

Perhaps the most important way students can help support mental health is to practice better daily habits and encourage peers to do the same. A regular schedule, light extracurricular load, and time set aside for friends and relaxation are not signs that you can’t “handle” Harvard—they’re signs that you know how to take care of yourself. Choose the extra sleep rather than stress. Soothe yourself, relax, and respect and validate your emotions. Use the resources available, including MHS and Bureau of Study Counsel (BSC), and encourage your friends to do the same when they need help.

Change must be made regarding these systems on campus, but it is not enough to complain that Harvard could be doing more. How can we as students expect the administration to further put our mental health as a priority if we can’t do it ourselves?

Susan I. Putnins ’08 is a neurobiology concentrator in Leverett House. She is co-chair of the Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy Group.