ASMSU Senate unanimously passes student mental health resolution

The Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) Senate unanimously passed Resolution 13 (R-13), A Resolution Supporting Student Mental Health and Wellness, during its Sept. 17 meeting. 

The resolution affirms ASMSU's commitment to student mental health in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — which is observed nationally in September — and calls on the University to strengthen students' access to mental health resources. It passed 17-0 on its second reading. 

Senator Harrison Brandt, the resolution's primary sponsor, said R-13 is not binding but puts the Senate's position on record. "We're not forcing anyone to do anything, but we're clearly just stating our opinion," Brandt said in an interview with the Exponent. "And then our hope is that the opinion of the Senate is the opinion of the student body."

Brandt, a senior majoring in dietetics, is this year's lone senator for the College of Education, Health and Human Development. 

R-13 cites data from The Jed Foundation which estimates that roughly 40 percent of college students nationwide face moderate to severe depression and anxiety that can affect their ability to learn and thrive. 

The resolution also states that many students remain unaware of the mental health resources available through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and other campus partners.

The resolution calls on MSU to increase the visibility and promotion of existing mental health resources, including CAPS. It also asks the University to keep supporting CAPS staffing and resources, and encourages academic departments, University Student Housing and student organizations to take part in mental health awareness programming in September and throughout the academic year.

In R-13, ASMSU commits to advocating for student mental health "year-round and not only during awareness months." The resolution will be sent to MSU President Brock Tessman, CAPS Director Laura Thum and other University leaders. 

Brandt said his view of the biggest mental health issue on campus shifted after he met with Thum. "I think if you asked me two weeks ago, I would have said, ‘Wait times at CAPS.’ “[Thum] kind of opened my eyes to some of the struggles they're having with staffing, and how they're pretty staffed right now, actually, which is a good thing," he said.

Instead, Brandt said the issue comes down to awareness. "That's what the goal of this resolution was to do, was just to spread awareness about mental health," he said. "Any month is amazing to spread awareness."

That focus comes as Montana continues to have one of the highest suicide rates in the country. The state has ranked among the top three for decades according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, and its 2024 rate of 26.8 deaths per 100,000 people was nearly double the national rate, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Brandt said R-13 was the Senate's first resolution of the year, and he called it "monumental" that the first one focused on mental health.

Grace Koeller, a senator for the College of Letters and Science, said the University can't promote its mental health resources too often. “I don't think that you can put those resources out enough,” Koeller said. “On a college campus, and in a mountain town, you know, I think mental health is something that needs to be taken seriously.”

She said students who are struggling may be deterred by how challenging it can be to find help in the college setting. If students continue to struggle to access resources even with a fully staffed CAPS system, Koeller said the Senate would need to rethink its approach. “I think we'd have to reevaluate the whole foundation of the program, I guess, and find ways again to just advertise,” Koeller said. 

According to ASMSU’s website, the organization serves as the voice of students and aims to enhance the college experience through leadership. For Brandt, R-13 echoes ASMSU’s mission. 

The senate — ASMSU’s legislative branch — aims to represent student interest through adopting legislation and allocating student activity fees to ASMSU programs through annual budgeting each spring semester. According to the ASMSU’s Constitution’s fundamental principles, students who wish to raise concerns can speak to representatives, give public comment at senate meetings and or reach out on ASMSU’s website. 

"Definitely come to us. We really love to hear from students. That's the whole reason we're elected, is to help and represent the students," Brandt said. "We want you to come to us, and we want you to feel safe coming to us.” 

If you or someone you know is struggling, CAPS offers free, confidential counseling to MSU students on the third floor of the Student Wellness Center. Call 406-994-4531, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, call the Bozeman Help Center's 24-hour crisis line at 406-586-3333, or call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.