As mental health diagnoses rise at the University of Minnesota (UMN), many students report long wait times and unresponsive care from campus counseling services, prompting some to seek therapy outside the university.
Breyona Killian, a student at UMN, requested a new therapist at Boynton Health after struggling to connect with the one assigned to her. However, her request went unanswered.
“Boynton Health never responded, but the therapist I didn’t want to see anymore reached out and asked to reschedule,” Killian said. “And that’s pretty much where we’re at.”
A 2024 Boynton Health survey found that 30.2% of students utilize emergency or crisis mental health services, while most rely on non-emergency care. The survey also reported that 26.1% of students received a mental health diagnosis in the past year, and nearly 60% said their mental health affected their academic performance.
Killian ultimately sought therapy outside the university after her negative experience with Boynton Health. “It feels like they’re puppets,” she said. She had hoped switching therapists would provide a better fit. “I wasn’t vibing with the guy, with the therapist they gave me.”
The university has taken some steps to address mental health concerns. In November, UMN installed $75,000 worth of fencing on the Washington Avenue Bridge following two suicides. Vice President of University Services Alice Roberts-Davis said the university is working on a long-term safety solution.
“While we continue to work on funding and approvals needed to implement a long-term solution to enhance the safety of the Washington Avenue Bridge, we have installed temporary fencing on the bridge’s pedestrian deck that creates a barrier between pedestrians and the bridge’s side railings,” Roberts-Davis said.
According to a report by Inside Higher Ed, many college students in the U.S. cite the pressure of balancing academics with personal and family responsibilities as a major contributor to the mental health crisis. Liza Meredith, a psychology professor at UMN, said she recognizes students’ challenges but has mixed feelings about whether the situation constitutes a crisis.
“I know a lot of my students are struggling with mental health issues, and I don’t know if they perceive Boynton as a reliable option for them because you have to wait a long time between appointments,” Meredith said.
Meredith suggested that increasing diversity among Boynton’s staff could improve students’ experiences.
“That would suggest hiring more counselors for more diverse identities and different models so that potential clients have more choice,” she said.
Dan Peterson, a sophomore studying business and marketing, copes with his mental health challenges by socializing. He believes changing the culture surrounding mental health is just as important as increasing resources.
“Before the resources can change, the culture around mental health needs to be changed,” Peterson said. “There are some resources there, but they must be socially acceptable before people start using them.”
How UMN Compares to Other Schools
Like UMN, nearby universities offer a variety of mental health services. The University of St. Thomas provides weekly crisis drop-in hours from 2 to 4 p.m., with full-time students eligible for all counseling services. The school also offers a faculty guide on responding to student crises such as depression, hazing, and sexual assault.
Iowa State University offers crisis assessments during business hours on weekdays, while the University of North Dakota provides specialized services, including couples counseling and substance use support.
At UMN, students can access Help Compass, an online tool that directs users to mental health resources such as crisis hotlines, Boynton Health Services, and student counseling. The platform asks step-by-step questions to determine the appropriate level of care.
With students continuing to struggle with mental health concerns, many are calling for Boynton Health to address long wait times and diversify its care options to better serve the UMN community.
(Originally reported by Sara Hussein)