The Mental Health Task Force appointed by Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson in May released its report and recommendations on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Chaired by Lynn Durham, assistant vice president and chief of staff in the Office of the President, the 13-person group composed of students, faculty, and staff met during the summer to discuss mental health issues, support, and needs in Tech’s student body. Peterson appointed the group as a result of concerns raised by undergraduate and graduate student leaders.

“Our students see mental health issues in others, but not necessarily in themselves,” Durham said. “They are under a great deal of pressure and don’t see the stress points, or the concerning behaviors such as staying up all night multiple nights in a row. They feel invincible and often don’t reach out for the help they need.”

The report reviews current mental health offerings as well as proposed offerings currently under consideration across campus, including an online resource portal, peer counseling program, enhanced orientation for international and transfer students, and programming for students in recovery. One collaborative initiative between the Counseling Center and Campus Recreation Center is already being piloted this semester, created for those who may benefit from healthy lifestyle programs and physical activity.  

The report also makes 11 recommendations spanning issues related to data gathering, program accessibility, dissemination of information, campus spirit, financial aid, graduate student funding, and positive faculty-student interaction. It suggests a GT 1000 class for transfer students and a GT 6000 equivalent for graduate students. An appendix outlines a previously proposed initiative that would be spearheaded by Stamps Health Services but equip staff and faculty across campus with the ability to better direct students in need to campus resources.

“We don’t anticipate that all of this will get done in the next couple months, but by the end of the academic year everything in the report will have been reviewed and addressed in some way,” Durham said.

An underlying theme in task force discussions was the impact of Tech’s challenging and competitive academic environment. Students holding themselves to a high standard, and faculty holding them to one as well, can sometimes result in a high-stress, high-productivity environment. In a 2011 National College Health Assessment, nearly 90 percent of Tech students reported being “very stressed” compared to a national average of around 53 percent. Still, many students don’t realize the way stress may be affecting them.

Peterson will task members of his cabinet with drafting implementation plans for different recommendations of the report that pertain to their areas.