Re: "Student snaps, turned away by CAPS," Feb. 5 column.

While your columnist's concerns with Counseling and Psychological Services are certainly valid, I felt compelled to write in defense of the counselors there and refute the writer's claim that the center "chronically turns away students."

In my last year at Penn State, I sunk into a severe depression. At the point of a complete breakdown, a friend called CAPS, described my symptoms and I was given an appointment the next day. I began seeing one of the center's therapists, Patty Johnstone, regularly and to this day I credit her with saving my life. Patty had an unbelievably large workload and she would often fit students like myself in during her lunch hour if she had no other appointments available. She was -- and no doubt still is -- extremely dedicated, compassionate and caring.

I realize that I was lucky and
that some students in need of counseling are turned away or made to wait what they consider to be too long for an appointment. However, CAPS and its counselors are not to blame for that. Blame the university administration
for not providing more funding for something as important as mental health.