Opinion Board | Hats off to CAPS

Ben Franklin once said an "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Nowhere does this seem more applicable than when it comes to the issue of mental health on college campuses.

As the Virginia Tech shooting made painfully clear, effective university counseling services are crucial in preventing troubled students from harming themselves - or others.

Luckily, Penn's Office of the Provost seems to have gotten the message.

In July, Counseling and Psychological Services hired eight new staffers, as part of a three-year effort to improve campus counseling. More funding has allowed CAPS to reduce wait times and increase awareness regarding the mental-health issues that college students face.

And more importantly, CAPS hasn't just gotten bigger, it's gotten better. They wisely took an outside consultant's recommendation to hire specific experts in issues like Asian American health, which will increase the organization's ability to overcome cultural barriers in the counseling process.

In light of the recent suicide attempt on campus and the barrage of nearby shootings, the importance of a diverse counseling staff that can reach students from all socio-economic backgrounds can't be overstated.

CAPS's expansion couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. Rates of students seeking counseling have doubled across the country. This trend presents university officials with a tremendous opportunity to identify and help troubled students. But it also requires colleges to make an enormous commitment to improving the mental health of their students.

We're glad that Penn has stepped up to the challenge.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.