Campus Resources ‘Underscore Importance of Mental Health’

Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice and Vice President for Student Affairs Patty Perillo sent the following email to the campus community today:

As we near the end of the semester, we commend the continued determination of our entire campus community. We also recognize that each and every one of us has faced obstacles and challenges along the way. President Pines reminded us earlier this semester that to build a connected community of care, we must check in on friends and colleagues, be mindful of our own mental wellness, and share and seek campus resources.

We highly encourage all students, faculty and staff to review, use and share these campus resources, keeping our individual and collective well-being at the center of all we do.

• The Counseling Center provides UMD students with free and confidential therapy to help manage personal, social and academic challenges. They offer a variety of programs such as Wellness Workshops, as well as drop-in hours for LGBTQ+ students, international students, students of color and student veterans. Same-day urgent visits are available for students who are experiencing a crisis. Mental health professionals are also available for phone consultation by calling the Counseling Center outside of business hours.
  
• Behavioral Health Services at the University Health Center provides students with psychiatric assessment and treatment, including medication evaluation and ongoing medication management, in an integrated healthcare setting. It also provides individual and group psychotherapy, managing patients' ongoing therapeutic needs.
  
• The Substance Use Intervention and Treatment (SUIT) unit offers short-term, evidence-based psychoeducational interventions, treatment and counseling, consultation and advocacy for UMD students who are experiencing problems related to their or another person’s substance use.
• The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program provides UMD employees with assessment, referral, coaching, consultation and short-term counseling services to address a variety of work-related conflicts and personal issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, relationship and family conflicts, as well as medical, legal and financial concerns.
  
• Training opportunities including T.E.R.P.S. for Terps Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid Training and the Assisting Students in Distress Guide can equip you with the skills to identify and respond to those experiencing distress.
  
• Advocacy, awareness and support groups like Multi-Ethnic Mental Health Organization (M.E.M.O.), Active Minds at Maryland, Lean on Me College Park, Help Center and SKY at UMD are available to students.

It is our hope that you know that you never have to carry a burden alone.

This is not the first, or the last, time you will hear us underscore the importance of mental health. As emphasized in our strategic plan, investing in people and communities is a top priority for the University of Maryland. We continue to build upon our available resources that facilitate academic, career and life goals and enhance personal growth and well-being, including the formation of a Mental Health Task Force that we will share more information about in the new year. School of Public Health Dean Boris Lushniak and Senior Associate Vice President for Well-being Warren Kelley are co-chairing this important task force.

We wish you a safe and healthy remainder of the year, and look forward to continuing to foster the health and well-being of our community in 2023!