Student Mental Health

An important part of the community served by the Depression Center is the student population of the University of Louisville. While the Health Science Campus has provided psychiatric services to its students ( i.e., medical, dental, nursing and public health) and trainees (i.e., residents and fellows in post-graduate programs) for many decades, psychiatric services on the main (Belknap) Campus have been offered only since 2006 when student health services (now known as Campus Health) were expanded. Student psychiatric services are provided by two psychiatrists (one full-time faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science and one part-time faculty member) and a full time psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Over half of the students and trainees who seek services suffer from depression and/or bipolar disorder. In addition, many of the other conditions treated, such as panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder, have high rates of co-morbid depression. The three Student Psychiatric Services clinicians work closely with the general health staff at Campus Health and with the staff of the Counseling Center to provide coordinated care.