An increase in commercials and advertisements for drugs, such as Prozac and Paxil, has created a rush of new patients seeking the mood-enhancing drugs and mental health care in general. The University's primary treatment option, Counseling and Psychological Services, has had an increase in student visitors. As attitudes toward mental health care change, CAPS and the University must respond with expanded services.

While CAPS' psychologists are trained to recognize and treat mental health problems, many of the interns and post-doctoral staff have only limited licenses, which restricts their ability to diagnose serious medical conditions. CAPS has one psychiatrist who works a part-time, which leads to many serious cases being referred to external clinics and hospitals. Unlike CAPS, these clinics are not free of charge and are not covered under the University's insurance policies, creating difficulties for students who want to keep their treatment confidential but who also rely on their parents' insurance.

Students who wish to use CAPS services must negotiate a complex logistical process. After students fill out paperwork, they are placed on a wait list and then seen on a need-based order. Only students enrolled for the current semester are treated; those who are not taking Spring/Summer courses are allowed one visit, but are referred elsewhere. While emergency walk-in patients are treated, even this care is limited to the 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday schedule. Even with a three-hour extension on Tuesdays during Fall and Winter terms, CAPS services are offered at times when students are extremely busy. If counseling sessions were offered later in the evening more students could fit necessary treatment into their schedules.

Students wait for two weeks after their paperwork is processed before receiving therapy. The number of new students visiting CAPS is increasing and each counselor is expected to see a new patient every day. Not only does this create an overload for the therapists who give up lunches and breaks to keep up with the paperwork, but it also hurts the quality of service provided for the students. Since the University has been slow to hire new personnel, the already overworked counselors have to fill in for the absence of two staff members who have left within the past year.

While many students have been treated at CAPS, a vast majority are unaware of its services and even of its existence. The University merely provides a pamphlet to students in one of the many orientation packets and training for residence hall directors through University Housing. While groups can request information and presentations from CAPS, many are unaware of this service.

CAPS' shortcomings could be improved if the University administers a few changes. Working to publicize and spread awareness of CAPS and increasing CAPS' hours would greatly improve mental health care. The intense atmosphere of the University necessitates strong psychological and pyschiatric care to ensure a healthy and productive student body.