i read somewhere, i think quora, that mental health issues are super stigmatized at caltech, at least in some circles. is that true? i really hope not, but since it’s a STEM school i’m not optimistic.
Hi, I’m a current sophomore here at Tech (procrastinating on finals by answering questions…) but I have felt the opposite for the most part. Since it’s such a small school, students generally have pretty close relationships with the deans and professors, all of who I have found are super understanding about mental health issues (for the most part…some think going to class is more important than dealing with mental health issues). It’s easy to get extensions on work if you’re unable to concentrate because of your mental health.
The counseling center here can also be pretty good and are free to all students, though I think the experiences vary depending on the counselor. We do have a variety of types of counselors available including general psychologists, occupational therapists, a psychiatrist, a drug and alcohol specialist, and a relationship specialist.
Students for the most part are accepting, though I have had some experiences where I have felt judged for taking an extension for mental health. We do have student leaders, called Peer Advocates as of 2018, who take a 2 term class where they learn about peer support and how to help their friends get through crises. Most people really respect these students and think their role is important.