HOUSE LAWMAKERS ARE EXPLORING WAYS TO BETTER ADDRESS COLLEGE STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS. 

REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVERAL UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE STATE TESTIFIED AT A HEARING ABOUT HOW THEY ARE HELPING STUDENTS WITH DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND OTHER ISSUES. INITIATIVES INCLUDE AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM WHERE COUNSELORS CHECK ON STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN MISSING A LOT OF CLASSES, DISCUSSING THE SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AT ORIENTATION, AND EVEN SMALL THINGS LIKE YOGA CLASSES AND THERAPY DOGS. WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY'S AMY BUWICK SAYS THEY HAVE A CARE REFERRAL PROGRAM WHERE FACULTY, PARENTS AND FRIENDS CAN SHARE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT A STUDENT.

ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY HAS A THERAPY DOG NAMED SAGE, WHO LENDS SUPPORT TO CRIME VICTIMS AND TO THOSE WHO JUST NEED CHEERING UP SAYS VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS LEVESTER JOHNSON.

LAWMAKERS AT THE MEETING STRESSED THAT STRUGGLING STUDENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN EXTRA TIME TO MAKE UP CLASSWORK SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO RETAKE A FULL COURSE AND BE REASSURED THAT THEY WON'T BE PENALIZED FOR SEEKING HELP.