Student Counseling Center at SU celebrates 50 years of mental health care for students

SALISBURY, Md- The student Counseling Center at Salisbury University celebrating 50 years of putting students’ mental health first and giving them a place to talk about issues,

The director of the center Laurie Scherer says for many, it could be the first time they get that chance.

“This is the first time a lot of people are away from home and have the option to make choices themselves sometimes they don’t have insurance or have no history of making these types of appointments so having it available covered b the costs here so it’s free is very important,” she said.

She says the counseling center has seen many changes- going from one counselor when it opened in the 70s to now an entire team and even pivoting to telehealth during covid19.
Counselor Dawn Kater says she is proud of the group therapy and workshops that the center bolds but the most important work and changes the center makes aren’t easy to see.

“The most valuable work is the work that no one is going to see because it is confidential and it’s behind close doors and it’s the most critical work and what I’m most proud of,” she said adding “Identifying that issue and seeking counseling earlier on and can give someone more of an opportunity so that something doesn’t escalate or become worse.”

She says the legacy of the center for 50 years has been student-centered care that responds to the need for more therapy, but they say the next 50 years for the center will see more online resources, less stigma and more telehealth service.