Luke Strawn \u201917 MED had just heated up some leftovers for a late lunch at his desk. But the risotto would have to wait. It was walk-in hours, and a student from the College of Sciences wanted to talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTheir offices are right where the students are,\u201d says Monica Osburn, director of the university\u2019s Counseling Center. \u201cMany students have never talked to a counselor. This makes it a little less scary. It\u2019s on their own turf.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strawn\u2019s job as an embedded counselor\u2009\u2014\u2009he splits his time between two colleges\u2009\u2014\u2009is a relatively new role at NC State. He\u2019s one of 14 mental health clinicians who are embedded within colleges or programs. Those positions began years ago with counselors assigned to the College of Veterinary Medicine and Athletics, and the program expanded last fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTheir offices are right where the students are. Many students have never talked to a counselor. This makes it a little less scary. It\u2019s on their own turf.\u201d
\u2013 Monica Osburn, director of the university\u2019s Counseling Center<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nA new report from the Student Mental Health Task Force, established by Vice Chancellor and Dean Doneka Scott last fall, recommended adding embedded counselors to residence halls. It comes as NC State is working to make sure student mental health is a priority, as a number of student deaths, including some by suicide, have impacted campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Osburn says the pandemic was particularly hard on today\u2019s college-age adults. \u201cThey were isolated well over a year,\u201d she says. \u201cThey missed significant developmental interactions and milestones that students often have\u2009\u2014\u2009that first breakup, that first conflict with a friend\u2009\u2014\u2009when they learn to navigate all that and gain skills to cope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The embedded counselors are among the 47 clinical positions that Osburn oversees. A nationwide shortage of counselors has made it difficult to fill the positions. Five years ago, she\u2019d get 100 applications, and now the hiring pool may be only 10\u201320 applicants. \u201cWe serve all students that come in,\u201d she says. \u201cSomeone in private practice can just take the clients they want to take and make more money in three days than our staff can make in a week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n