Mental Health Resources
By ERIN HAN, ANGELA HE, ALLEGRA LAI, and MARVIN SHIM
The percentage of young people experiencing mental health conditions, including psychological distress and major depression, has significantly amplified since the past decade. Cultural trends in the last ten years, primarily an increased use of digital media and communication, are cited to be the leading cause of mood disorders, thus diminishing social interaction within younger generations.
Exeter’s recently renovated Lamont Health and Wellness Center provides individual, confidential health care and psychotherapy to students on campus. The center is open daily for appointments or walk-ins and houses more than a dozen beds for overnight care.
Medical Director Dr. Katharina Lilly listed the variety of concerns licensed professionals can help students with, including “depression, anxiety, grief and loss, substance use, stress management, and relationships.”
Director of Counseling Szu-Hui Lee continued, “We offer free and confidential individual psychotherapy sessions, 24/7 on-call support, as well as events and workshops throughout the school year.”
On campus, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) partners with Student Council’s Mental Health Committee, Psychology Club, and student listeners to offer support alongside students. Lilly expressed her team’s efforts in trying to “normalize mental health care in a manner that weaves mental wellness into our day-to-day lives.”
Lee also mentioned their participation in community-based events every year. “We facilitated a few Core Value Project initiatives and partnered with the Health Education and Human Development Department to implement various Positive Psychology events.”
However, despite the resources provided for health care and counseling services, some students find that CAPS is detached from the rest of the school. Student listener and senior Ryan Manley gave commentary on the awareness of these resources, “I would say it would be better if the students and the counselors are more in communication. We live in a boarding school where we’re not really around our parents. This independence allows us to self-discover and make very close friends, but many students still find themselves needing in-person, trusted adults to advise and listen to their personal matters.”
Upper Ben Soriano agreed. “I think [CAPS] is a little daunting. The steps are not clear for most of the student body avbout how to schedule a meeting or how to get in contact. I think any little roadblock in a way, such as not knowing how to contact CAPS, would be much more of a deterrent for them. It is difficult to access CAPS, and I think that’s making it harder for students to get the help that they need.”
Manley continued, “I actually wouldn’t say Lamont would be my first choice if I was having mental health issues, it would probably be friends. I know this wouldn’t be the same for everybody, but I would go to a really trusted friend. CAPS is a lot more invisible than you would think.”
Proctor and senior Elizabeth Catizone said, “We have many resources available to support students, although I’ve heard many express understandable hesitations, particularly in utilizing CAPS, due to the fear of being reported. I tend to go to trusted adults, such as teachers, mentors, coaches, or my advisor. I also would talk to close friends or a student listener.”
Given all the current support systems in place that address students’ mental health needs on campus — such as CAPS, dorm faculty, advisors, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the health center, Phillips Church, proctors, and student listeners — Student Council’s Mental Health Committee co-head and senior Michael Goodall said, “I am grateful that Exeter has a large counseling department with availability to generally get people connected in a reasonable period of time.”
However, Catizone identified a desirable adjustment regarding the current support systems and their ability to adequately address students’ mental health needs. “I personally believe the change that needs to happen perhaps lies in investigating the underlying causes of stress on campus and working to address those causes more systematically as opposed to adding additional reactionary support.”
Manley agreed. “I think it’s good that they have systems like proctors and student listeners where they have students involved. However, I find CAPS themselves are really detached from the students’ lives.”
Mental Health Committee co-heads Amber Zou and Michael Goodall both shared their experiences working with CAPS for the subcommittee as well as their personal encounters with CAPS resources. “My fellow co-heads and I directly communicate with administration and faculty on issues surrounding student mental well-being, host campus-wide wellness events, and facilitate mental health discussions with our committee members to share experiences and ideas,” Zou offered.
Goodall also commented on behind-the-scenes work facilitated between the committee and faculty. “We also worked with Dr. Kari Hart and helped interpret some of the data from her research. We are helping with the documentation of resources available through resource guides and helping to work on the Medical Leave flowchart to clarify how that resource works for those who need it.”
Zou also explained that collecting the puzzle pieces needed for a singular new policy is a very measured process, which might give the student body the impression that no work is being done behind the scenes. “To be honest, I think being [committee co-head] has emphasized to me the amount of effort and thought that goes into every decision. I think a lot of the time, the student body, and people in general, are quick to assume that because something, whether it’s a policy or announcement, is not made just automatically means that administration, CAPS, or the committee hasn’t considered that or that we don’t care. For example, we are working on Med Leave policy right now, and it’s a very slow and long process with so many moving parts.”
Furthermore, Goodall addressed the benefits of CAPS and its specificity to the Exeter community. “A pro is having a counselor who understands the stresses and social pressure of being at Exeter,” he said. “The counselors also understand the intricacies of the Exeter ecosystem and can help in navigating it,” he added.
Goodall also shared a personal experience, as well as a piece of advice. “Sleep is so important. It is hard to get enough sleep at Exeter. Be sure to protect your sleep. My sleep got really dysregulated in my lower spring, when I was struggling with my mental health, and I was able to do a ‘sleep reset’ at the health center that helped.”
Goodall also recognized Exeter’s effort in helping students despite the stigma surrounding the topic. “While there can be a stigma about reaching out for support, from my experience, I think Exeter’s resources are very helpful,” he said. “And even if Exeter can’t directly help, they can easily connect to outside resources, such as psychiatry and medication support.”
The high school stage is considered to be one of the most vulnerable stages of a person’s life with respect to mental health. In as rigorous and tight-knit of an environment as the Academy, the prevalence of accessible on-campus resources that can consider the unique experiences of Exonians is critical. It is with steady but consistent progress that CAPS and student advocates across campus work toward the goal of more accessible and supportive mental health resources at the Academy.
