Shana Schaffer once touted the counseling center at Purchase College as she conducted tours for prospective students.

Now she rails against it.

The 21-year-old junior says the about-face resulted after a personal visit for depression spiraled out of her control – to the point where she was rushed by ambulance to the hospital and required to seek professional counseling at a cost nearing $300.

“I am greatly understanding of them having to take precautions and as a student I appreciate them taking measures to protect the campus community,” she said. “But there is a very fine line between protecting the campus community and violating my rights as a student on that campus.”

College officials could not comment on the case because Schaffer refused to release her records due to possible legal action. Nevertheless, they expressed confidence that their policies and procedures ultimately are protecting students.

“Every now and then you’ll have a student who is unhappy that we are as attentive as we are and are as proactive as we are, but again, for the one unhappy student, we have hundreds who believe, or their parents believe, that we helped save their life,” said Lynn Mahoney, director of student affairs. “I’d much rather make a few angry. I can deal with that.”

At the heart of the conflict is a larger question over how colleges should handle complex issues of mental health, particularly depression.

Read the full story here: Does school depression policy go too far?

What do you think?