By Mackenzie Prince

With Generation Z at the forefront of the mental health crisis in the United States, the University of Maryland is implementing additional measures to better support its students. 

The Philip Merrill College of Journalism will provide extra counseling resources and access for students this school year. 

In an email to Merrill students on Aug. 26, Dean Rafael Lorente announced that journalism students would have access to a licensed clinical professional counseler, Evan Klein, who is also an embedded counselor for the School of Public Health. 

“Evan will be available to meet with students to assess their mental health needs and direct them to appropriate resources, such as workshops, group counseling or individual therapy,” Lorente wrote. “[He] will also be involved in Merrill College’s well-being focused efforts.” 

This addition comes from an initiative set forward by the University of Maryland’s Counseling Center to make it easier for students to obtain mental health resources directly within their “home” college. 

Despite still being in the early stages of this proposal, students and staff hope that these added opportunities will assist the many students struggling with their mental health. 

According to a 2024 study by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, about 64% of currently enrolled students have considered dropping out of their program or university, due to emotional stress and mental health concerns. 

Rina Aschemann, a sophomore psychology major, hopes UMD is taking the necessary steps to help students with mental health. Aschemann has previously reached out to the Counseling Center for help and criticized her experiences.  

“I think they tried to be helpful, but didn’t have the necessary resources,” Aschemann said. 

Aschemann hopes that these added resources will help her peers and the UMD Counseling Center will continue to grow their options for students.  

Lorente has high hopes that Merrill students will be positively affected by this new system.

“I would like to see that comfort-level [between students and the mental health officer]  so that people know there is somebody here,” Lorente said. “Over time, I would like to see a positive impact on our culture.” 

For Merrill students, most are matching Lorente’s enthusiasm and hope to see this resource used for positive change within their community. 

Lily Benco, a freshman journalism major, is confident that the new mental health counselor will give her and her fellow students additional support during this transition into college life. 

“As a freshman, everything can be really overwhelming at first,” Benco said. “It’s great to know that there is a support system nearby, specifically in the journalism school.” 

Students and staff hope that these counseling services will serve as a step for people to recognize they are struggling and combat it. 

“That’s a good thing: that people are seeking treatment, that people want help,” Lorente said.

Featured Image: The Shoemaker Building, where the University of Maryland’s Counseling Center is located. Photo by Mackenzie Prince.