• Rich Barlow

    Senior Writer

    Photo: Headshot of Rich Barlow, an older white man with dark grey hair and wearing a grey shirt and grey-blue blazer, smiles and poses in front of a dark grey backdrop.

    Rich Barlow is a senior writer at BU Today and Bostonia magazine. Perhaps the only native of Trenton, N.J., who will volunteer his birthplace without police interrogation, he graduated from Dartmouth College, spent 20 years as a small-town newspaper reporter, and is a former Boston Globe religion columnist, book reviewer, and occasional op-ed contributor. Profile

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There are 5 comments on BU Co-Creates First-of-Its-Kind Guides for Students Seeking a Mental Health Leave, and for Faculty and Staff

  1. I am interested in learning more about this program and agree it is a good next step for BU in their efforts to support students’ mental well being. I am a BU student and have been failed by BU’s weak attempt of mental health services. I was interested to read the New York Times article mentioned here, reading Srivastava’s story was unfortunately not surprising. I encourage the University to fix the programs they have in place before integrating new ones. As Srivastava mentioned in their story, and what I have experienced myself, is insufficient support from the university. Counselors not following up, long wait times to schedule appointments, and generalized (instead of personalized) care. Praising BU’s Niteo program should be done cautiously. This program costs $8,500. Even with some scholarships being available, the cost of this program makes it highly inaccessible. Especially taking into consideration the high tuition costs students pay yearly.

  2. I have read this article such a good and really excellent. I am proud to see that BU is the first to develop this resource for students, faculty, and staff.
    Thank you

  3. The goal shouldn’t be working on Leave of Absence guides but rather as expressed above and by so many this year – start fixing the poor mental health resources and supports on campus. Actions not words. Follow the JED foundation template and make some fast positive changes before more tragedies occur.

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