Given the # of posts I've seen with people complaining about long waits for service like this, I wouldn't object to an increase in the health services fee.
Neither of these points are justification for a waiting time like that. Just because the status quo is a month or other universities are doing a worse job than UW doesn't mean that a month is acceptable.
Yeah, I think I have a pretty decent idea. I've been in this program for years now, and spoken to several doctors about the situation. The majority agree that the ease of access to mental health services at this university is terrible.
There are 2 psychiatrists at HS. There are 36+k students enrolled. In 2014, 32% of students in Canada were on medication for mental health issues (which they can only get from a psychiatrist). So, assuming uWaterloo would be at that average, that's 5760 patients per psychiatrist In Ontario, a psychiatrist having over 400 patients is considered ludicrous. UWaterloo has over 14x that load on these doctors. Don't get me wrong, those 2 are fantastic doctors that really care about their patients, and they certainly do all they can.
But if uwaterloo could stop pretending they gave a fay shit about mental health, thatd make this a little easier to swallow. You guys can wear your orange t shirts all you fucking want, and celebrate your mental health awareness day.
I know that for someone in a much more desperate situation than me, a month can feel like an eternity.
People don't realize that mental disorders are rooted in biology. If this post was about someone with an ear infection having to wait that long, I wouldn't have to explain this to you. At least I hope not
4a, you make a good point. Health Services' costs are paid for via your Student Services Fee. That fee is set every year by a committee that includes all four of your elected Feds Exec. If you are willing to see the fee raised by $30-$40 to pay for more psychiatrists, then I recommend e-mailing either the VPED (vped@feds.ca) or the President (pres@feds.ca) with your concerns. This is an issue they're well aware of - the school has been under pressure for a long time to increase the number of counselling and mental health services staff available.
The VPED might be able to bring your concerns forward at a provincial level, too, as part of his lobbying efforts at Queens Park. If there were provincial government funds available for student mental health, it could make a big difference.
Yeah 4a, you're going to need to site a source for a claim like that. Almost 1 in 3 students is on meds for mental health issues? I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm saying that sounds wrong and you should have some backup.
4A- I understand what you are saying but it is not counselling and health services' fault. The only way they can afford more doctors or counsellors is by increasing our tuition and I don't think we want that. There is a shortage of doctors in Ontario itself and when govt or private colleges are not doing anything to increase the spots in medical schools,how are you expecting UW to do anything.Anyway, I was talking about counselling and health services and not UW. I hope you get the best out of your upcoming appointment.
You wanna tuition hike so they can afford to pay more mental health professionals?
ReplyDeleteGiven the # of posts I've seen with people complaining about long waits for service like this, I wouldn't object to an increase in the health services fee.
DeleteFrom what I'm lead to understand, a month waiting period is good and it only takes longer outside of school.
ReplyDeleteThis is true. It also takes longer at many other universities.
DeleteNeither of these points are justification for a waiting time like that. Just because the status quo is a month or other universities are doing a worse job than UW doesn't mean that a month is acceptable.
Deletewaaah why doesn't the world revolve around me.
ReplyDeleteThat's you. That's what you sound like right now
You have no idea what goes behind the scenes and how much hard work they put to make sure that students have the resources available to them.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think I have a pretty decent idea. I've been in this program for years now, and spoken to several doctors about the situation. The majority agree that the ease of access to mental health services at this university is terrible.
DeleteThere are 2 psychiatrists at HS. There are 36+k students enrolled. In 2014, 32% of students in Canada were on medication for mental health issues (which they can only get from a psychiatrist). So, assuming uWaterloo would be at that average, that's 5760 patients per psychiatrist
In Ontario, a psychiatrist having over 400 patients is considered ludicrous. UWaterloo has over 14x that load on these doctors.
Don't get me wrong, those 2 are fantastic doctors that really care about their patients, and they certainly do all they can.
But if uwaterloo could stop pretending they gave a fay shit about mental health, thatd make this a little easier to swallow. You guys can wear your orange t shirts all you fucking want, and celebrate your mental health awareness day.
I know that for someone in a much more desperate situation than me, a month can feel like an eternity.
People don't realize that mental disorders are rooted in biology. If this post was about someone with an ear infection having to wait that long, I wouldn't have to explain this to you. At least I hope not
4a, you make a good point. Health Services' costs are paid for via your Student Services Fee. That fee is set every year by a committee that includes all four of your elected Feds Exec. If you are willing to see the fee raised by $30-$40 to pay for more psychiatrists, then I recommend e-mailing either the VPED (vped@feds.ca) or the President (pres@feds.ca) with your concerns. This is an issue they're well aware of - the school has been under pressure for a long time to increase the number of counselling and mental health services staff available.
DeleteThe VPED might be able to bring your concerns forward at a provincial level, too, as part of his lobbying efforts at Queens Park. If there were provincial government funds available for student mental health, it could make a big difference.
Yeah 4a, you're going to need to site a source for a claim like that. Almost 1 in 3 students is on meds for mental health issues? I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm saying that sounds wrong and you should have some backup.
Delete4A please link source, seem's pretty fucking intense.
Delete4A- I understand what you are saying but it is not counselling and health services' fault. The only way they can afford more doctors or counsellors is by increasing our tuition and I don't think we want that. There is a shortage of doctors in Ontario itself and when govt or private colleges are not doing anything to increase the spots in medical schools,how are you expecting UW to do anything.Anyway, I was talking about counselling and health services and not UW. I hope you get the best out of your upcoming appointment.
ReplyDelete