Editorial: CAPS does a disservice to students

It seems as if being gay or experimenting with your sexuality has been a trend for quite some time. More women — particularly those in their late teens and 20s are experimenting with bisexuality or at least feel more comfortable reporting same-sex encounters, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that men are less likely to experiment with bisexuality or even talk about it. There’s a certain level of discrimination for men and it’s a lot easier for women to have these types of experiences and be open about it because it’s more acceptable.

Where do students who identify as LGBTQA go to feel accepted and are those services enough?

CAPS, the counseling and psychological services at FIU is a center that provides mental health services for students that will facilitate and enhance their personal learning, emotional well-being and academic skills development.

When visiting the website for CAPS, services that cater to LGBT students aren’t readily available. There are workshops that leaders of organizations can request regarding LGBT issues but most leaders of student organizations will only request these services out of obligation – not out of general interest of for the betterment of their organizations.

Also, as a member of the editorial board of student media who identifies as gay, I have gone to CAPS for general counseling and I felt as if my issues were belittled and made to seem made-up or exaggerated. I wanted to join the LGBTQA group but the counselor told me I’d have to go through consultations to join the group.

This kind of treatment isn’t uncommon among students at FIU and the editorial board.

I’m not sure why these different consultations are necessary but if a student wants to join group counseling that they might feel comfortable with – why is it necessary to drag them through the  rigamarole just for them to join a LGBTQA counseling group?

Justin Santoli, the program assistant of CAPS explained to student media that not only is there a LGBTQA group that is offered, but also a couples and 1-on-1 counseling services, though, if your sexual identity is on the LGBTQA spectrum you’d have to make special request regarding your issue.

What CAPS has to offer is not only inadequate, but the process to join a group of individuals, with which you may feel comfortable, is full of obstacles. Sure, the consultations may be viable to secure the other students confidentially but why have the groups in the first place?

Editorials are the unified voice of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor in chief, management, and the editors of each of the five sections. The Beacon welcomes any letters regarding or in response to its editorials. Send them to opinion@fiusm.com.

Image from Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cjf20/7899032674/sizes/l