In January, 2005, the Counseling Center created an Advisory Board comprised of Middlebury faculty and staff. In recent years universities across the nation have been confronted by a number of events that have radically altered the landscape of mental health in institutions of higher education. Changes that have been noted include an increase in students attending college with serious psychological issues, using psychotropic medications, or facing enormous familial or financial pressures. This trend has been reported in recent scientific literature as a national phenomenon. As a result we as a community must meet the needs of our students with innovative, student-centered outreach and compassionate, responsive leadership.
The Advisory Board meets once a semester, with ad hoc sub-group meetings as needed.
The goals of the Board are as follows:
1. To exchange information on the latest Counseling Center, faculty, and staff initiatives to meet the educational and mental health needs of our students.
2. To provide resources and methodology for faculty and staff to update their colleagues in their home departments on effective ways of managing students with special needs.
3. To partner with the Counseling Center to meet the unique needs of various departments.