RE “Colleges lag on mental health care’’ (Page A1, Feb. 20): If private insurers and government-sponsored health care plans do not support mental health care adequately, how can we expect colleges to fill this need for all students? Colleges are under fire for skyrocketing costs already.

Of course everyone needs and deserves this care, and college students are particularly at risk given their situation and age. We must provide support for mental health care, just as we do for all health care: fully, universally, and compassionately, by deliverers best able to create quality and access.

Secondary schools have been tasked with solving our nation’s economic and social problems. Stop the madness. Colleges cannot become small countries unto themselves for their students. We as a nation must provide affordable mental health care services to all.

Shirah Hecht

Needham