MSU Halts Layoffs in Counseling and Psych Services

Michigan State University Pauses Psychiatric Services Transition Amid Student Concerns

Michigan State University (MSU) has recently faced significant scrutiny over its plans to transition psychiatric services from the University Health and Wellbeing (UHW) to MSU Health Care. The move, which was initially announced, has sparked concerns among students, faculty, and staff, leading to a broader discussion about the future of mental health care on campus.

According to reports, the transition involved shifting psychiatric services at the Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) from UHW to the MSU Psychiatric Clinic. Megan Fuller, a student mental health ambassador, shared with local media that CAPS had laid off all of its psychiatrists, and patients would be assigned a new psychiatrist every three months. This raised alarm among students who rely on consistent care for their mental health.

However, the university has since decided to pause the transition. Amber McCann, a spokesperson for MSU, confirmed that the decision was made to allow for input from the newly appointed Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs, who began their roles this month. This pause will give the university an opportunity to gather feedback from campus leaders and incorporate it into final decisions regarding the future of psychiatric care services.

McCann emphasized that the health and wellbeing of the campus community is a top priority. Over several months, UHW analyzed data and developed a plan to transition psychiatric services as part of efforts to achieve efficiency and improve patient care. However, the university has now chosen to delay the process to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping the future of these critical services.

Despite the pause, some aspects of the transition remain in place. For example, physical therapy services at UHW are still being transitioned to MSU Health Care Physical and Occupational Therapy located on Hagadorn Road. New patients will be referred to MSU Health Care, while current patients will end their treatment or transfer within 60 days. This part of the plan has not been paused by the university.

CAPS provides essential psychiatric and counseling services to students at MSU. In addition, the university subsidizes some psychiatric visits for students, which were expected to continue under the transition plan. Counseling services at CAPS, which are housed within UHW, will also remain unaffected.

The controversy surrounding the transition has led to a growing movement among students and faculty. Nearly 1,500 people signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of Dr. Swapna Hingwe, the former director of CAPS, and for the university to maintain its integrated care model. The petition organizers praised President Guskiewicz’s recommendation to involve the new Provost and VP of Student Affairs in shaping the future direction of these services.

They urged MSU to commit to the following actions:

• Fully pause the transition of psychiatric services
• Publicly commit to engaging frontline staff in all future planning
• Recognize Dr. Swapna Hingwe as a trusted and qualified leader for the role of Executive Director for Mental Health and Trauma Support Services at MSU

The university has acknowledged the concerns raised by the petition and continues to work on ensuring that the mental health needs of students are met. Students are advised to continue accessing psychiatric services through UHW, including subsidized care, until further notice.

This story is developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The situation highlights the importance of transparency and collaboration in making decisions that affect the well-being of the campus community. As MSU moves forward, it will need to balance efficiency with the need for stability and trust in its mental health services.