HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 92

(By Delegates Skaff, Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker), Dean, Bates, Longanacre, Clark, Toney, Thompson, Bridges, Horst, Evans, Hornbuckle, Ferrell)

[Originating in the Committee on Education; Reported on February 24, 2022]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study to assess and address the mental health needs of students at West Virginia higher education institutions.

Whereas, The mental health of students at West Virginia’s institutions of higher education (“students”) is an increasing concern and the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional negative impacts on students, including burnout, lack of motivation and concentration, social anxiety, general anxiety, stress, loss of sleep, eating disorders, and depression; and

Whereas, Approximately 75 percent of all mental health conditions start by age 24, with higher rates of diagnosed disorders in traditionally college-age students; and

Whereas, A recent national survey found that one in four college students are treated for or diagnosed with a mental health condition and one in five has considered suicide; and

Whereas, Many students who complete a suicide never received on-campus services; and

Whereas, 96 Percent of students reported that they would provide support to peers who were contemplating suicide but many students lack knowledge of mental health signs and symptoms, how to assist their peers or where to refer them for services; and

Whereas, While traditionally college-age students are more accepting of mental health services than the general population, most struggle with accessing them and are less likely to receive mental health support than any other age group; and

Whereas, Paying for community-based services is a concern for approximately half of students and students from low-income households are more likely to have a mental health condition; and

Whereas, Services offered by most higher education institutions are limited in scope and capacity, with 67 percent of higher education institution counseling center directors stating that their campus psychiatric service capacity is inadequate or does not meet student demand; and

Whereas, Counselors at higher education institutions are working longer hours to meet increasing demand during the pandemic, contributing to the risk of burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety, and substance use; and

Whereas, Increasing the ratio of counselors to students is a critical component of addressing the mental health needs at higher education institutions and would provide for additional clinical hours, improve crisis response, and increase outreach and prevention; and

Whereas, The national shortage of licensed counselors, has created the need to consider augmenting staff at higher education institution counseling centers with Post-Master’s counselors, social workers or psychologists, who are supervised by licensed, experienced clinicians; and

Whereas, Training students, faculty, and staff and providing necessary resources is essential to combat the ongoing mental health crisis affecting students and to increase their resiliency and coping skills; and

Whereas, An urgent need exists to develop interventions and preventive strategies to address the mental health of students; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study to assess the mental health needs of students at West Virginia higher education institutions and to address and augment mental health services and resources at these institutions to meet those needs.  The study shall include at least the following:

·        Evaluation and assessment of mental health needs to be addressed;

·        Increasing counselor-to-student ratios, including use and availability of supervised Post-Master’s counselors, social workers or psychologists;

·        Policies for training and awareness;

·        Peer support programs;

·        Local assistance and strategic partnerships;

·        Online screening, web-based resources and hotlines;

·        Mental health education and resources;

·        Prevention and recovery programs;

·        Collaboration between the higher education institutions and the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia; and

·        Funding needed to meet the needs and resolutions identified by this study, and, be it

Further Resolved,

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2023, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved,

That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.