Mercy Bishop: Individual Story: Mental Health Resources at MSU and DEI's Impact

Mental Health Services at Mississippi State University: Centering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Through Campus and Student-Led Support

Mental health is an essential component of student success, and at Mississippi State University, many services and initiatives are in place to ensure that students can access the support they need. College students across the country continue to report increased stress, anxiety, and depression, especially in the wake of ongoing challenges in their lives. MSU has made a concerted effort to enhance mental health services both at the institutional level and through student-led initiatives.

However, mental health support cannot be effective without intentionally integrating principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is important that at a university where students come from varied backgrounds in terms of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, and disability status, that services meet students where they are. While many universities has taken important steps toward DEI in mental health services, student-run organizations often lead the way in building truly inclusive, peer-centered spaces that reflect the lived realities, especially at MSU.

MSU’s primary souce for mental health services is the Student Counseling Services.The center provides a variety of services, including individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and workshops focused on mental wellness and stress management. It has also expanded its telehealth services to accommodate students who may not be able to attend sessions in person, improving accessibility. In recent years, MSU has worked to incorporate DEI principles into its mental health care approach. The university recognizes that representation matters in therapeutic settings. Students are more likely to engage meaningfully in mental health care when they feel seen, heard, and understood by providers who share or respect their cultural backgrounds.

DEI Gaps in Institutional Services

Despite these positive steps, many challenges do remain. Some students report that university counseling services can feel clinical or impersonal, and appointment wait times can push students away from seeking help. While MSU has tried to improve this by offering walk-in crisis services, the demand often outpaces the supply. Moreover, while SCS staff strive to practice cultural competence, there can still be gaps in their ability to fully address the intersectional needs of students. For example, a queer student of color may need support that touches on both racial and gender identity-based trauma. When staff are not adequately trained or are spread too thin, such nuanced support may be lacking. This is where student-run organizations at MSU shine, offering spaces where peer support, lived experience, and cultural understanding take center stage.

Student-Run Organizations: Leading the Way in Inclusion

Across the MSU campus, student-led organizations are often more empathetic and responsive to the mental health needs of their peers. These groups create inclusive environments where students can be vulnerable, find community, and engage in healing practices that go beyond traditional therapy.Groups like Active Minds at MSU, a national mental health awareness organization with a local chapter, are at the forefront of this peer-driven support. Active Minds hosts events, discussion circles, and awareness campaigns that explicitly address mental health stigma in marginalized communities. Their events often include student speakers from diverse backgrounds, providing authentic testimony that resonates deeply with attendees.

Other organizations such as the Black Student Association, F.L.A.R.E (LGBTQ+ student group) understand the cultural nuances their members bring and are uniquely equipped to support them. What makes these organizations especially impactful is their commitment to intersectional inclusivity. Unlike institutional services that may need time to adapt policy or structure, student organizations can pivot quickly to meet emerging needs. If a national tragedy impacts a specific community, these groups often respond faster with community healing circles, resource-sharing, or coordinated advocacy efforts. They are run by students, for students, and their authenticity resonates. Students don’t have to explain their identities or justify their mental health concerns—they are met with understanding, shared experience, and solidarity.

Bridging the Gap: Collaboration and Future Potential

Although institutional services and student-run organizations often operate separately, there is great potential in fostering stronger collaboration between the two. MSU has started to acknowledge this by supporting student initiatives through funding and mentorship. For instance, the university provides grants to student wellness groups, and some counselors attend student-led events to provide professional backup or referrals. To truly bridge the gap, MSU can go further by formally integrating student voices into the planning and evaluation of campus mental health policies. Establishing a DEI Student Mental Health Advisory Board could be a step forward—ensuring that the people most affected by service gaps have a seat at the table when decisions are made.

Ultimately, addressing mental health at Mississippi State University requires more than just accessible counseling appointments or awareness campaigns. It requires an ongoing commitment to fostering a culture that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of support. The university has made commendable progress in expanding its mental health services and weaving DEI into its institutional framework, but true inclusivity is often most evident in the work of student-led organizations. These groups, rooted in peer connection and lived experience, create brave spaces where students feel truly seen. They are not just complementary to university services; they are essential, filling critical gaps and offering models of care grounded in empathy and authenticity. Moving forward, it is vital that MSU continues to uplift and invest in these student voices, recognizing them not as peripheral but as core to the mental health ecosystem on campus. By strengthening collaboration between institutional resources and student-led initiatives, the university can cultivate a more responsive, inclusive, and healing environment—one where every Bulldog, regardless of background or identity, has the support they need to thrive both academically and emotionally.

Email me at mrb893@msstate.edu with any questions