Public universities in Illinois will have to provide mental health professionals to students under a proposal passed over the weekend by state lawmakers.
The proposal from Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, also establishes benchmark ratios that could require some universities and colleges to provide up to three licensed mental health professionals.
Professionals may be provided either in a part-time, on-campus capacity, or a full-time, on- or off-campus capacity.
Villa said public institutions must be equipped to provide services to care for their students.
“In addition to resources for career readiness and financial aid, students need mental health resources readily available to them to ensure their well-being,” she said.
Villa pointed to recent research from the American College Health Association, which found over 60 percent of college students reported experiencing overwhelming anxiety, and nearly 40 percent suffered from depression severe enough to impact their academic performance.
The plan heads to Gov. JB Pritzker for final approval.