Dear Student,
Earlier this summer, I wrote to prompt conversations between students and their families and loved ones with the goal of making the transition to college easier. In that spirit, I want to talk about student wellbeing, and particularly about mental health. Although it has become more widely accepted to speak openly about mental health, I recognize that there are still cultural and social barriers to doing so. I want to establish this as an ongoing dialogue and a subject that is front and center for all.
At Tufts, we are focused on ensuring that our students receive the care and support they need to thrive. We are well aware of the current mental health environment for everyone, and especially for young adults.
As incoming families, you received a message on June 29 from Dr. Julie Ross outlining the resources of our Counseling and Mental Health Service. Also in June, students and families were invited to attend a webinar that reviewed our campus health and wellness resources with Dr. Ross and Dr. Marie Caggiano. I encourage you to review that information, as I am not going to cover it again here.
What I did want to do–as a fellow parent of two teenagers and as your Dean of Students–is to lend some of my personal context and perspective. Going to college brings excitement, anticipation, and often anxiety. This is normal, and part of what everyone, including returning students, experiences at the beginning of the academic year.
One very important item is this. Students have their own unique personal histories, including mental health conditions, that they will need to learn to manage independently in a new setting. If as a student you are currently in therapy, talk to your provider now about how you might continue your care with them, or how to find a treatment option local to Tufts in Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, or Boston. Continuity of your therapy, including medication, is important during this transition to college.
Our Counseling and Mental Health Service, like our Health Service, provides excellent care for students, but they cannot cover every need. Many mental health conditions only begin to manifest themselves during the college years, and many conditions require support beyond what a college-based clinic can provide. In these cases, we work with students and their families to find appropriate care.
I hope this message will be reassuring and helpful and that it might prompt conversations about how students will approach and manage their wellbeing. We work hard to support students and to promote good mental health. We are well-equipped to work with students, their caregivers, friends, and families to make sure they get the full guidance, support, and resources they need.
I look forward to welcoming you to campus, and in the meantime, enjoy these last few weeks of summer!
With my best wishes,
Camille Lizarríbar, JD, PhD
Dean of Students for AS&E
