USG Adds More Mental Health Counselors

The University Student Government announced the completion of an initiative on Tuesday that will make it easier for students to access mental health counseling through the Engemann Student Health Center. USG president Rini Sampath worked with the Engemann Student Health Center to add six new mental health counselors to the staff.

She hopes the increased emphasis on mental health awareness around campus will create an environment where students are comfortable seeking help. 

"At USC, in particular, I think there is still a stigma around mental illness," said Sampath. "And the problem is when there is a stigma students aren't going to feel as comfortable reaching out and asking for the help and accessing the help that they deserve and they need. So one of our goals is to break down that stigma"

The completion of this initiative checks off one of the items laid out on the platform that the Rini/Jordan ticket ran on last spring.