Mental Health Wellness

Substance use and abuse doesn’t just have a negative impact on an individual’s mental health but also disrupts the user’s family and social support systems. If you or someone you love has been dealing with the effects of substance use, find out more about different drugs of abuse and community resources for everyone impacted by substance use.

Most people have been touched in some way by substance use and addiction, whether it be their own use, friends, or family.  Sometimes, something that starts out as a way to relax and have fun or to escape pain can turn into a life-threatening problem. 

The national crisis surrounding prescription opioids and heroin has started more conversations and led to a greater understanding of how alcohol and other drugs impact the body and brain.  Montgomery College wants to continue that conversation and provide students with information about addiction as well as treatments. 

• National Institute on Drug Abusenew window 
• Video: NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow Explains the Science of Addictionnew window
• Video: Why Are Drugs So Hard to Quit?new window

Do you think you, or someone you know, has a problem with alcohol or other drugs?  Take this short screenernew window and use the results to start a conversation with your doctor or counselor.  

Find community resources for substance abuse. 

With the College on remote learning, we understand that stress levels might rise.  We want to keep up our robust program of stress relieving activities via Zoom while the campuses are closed.  All students are welcome to attend events, regardless of campus.   

"Angst" Film Screening and Mental Health Panel
The SHaW Center is excited to partner with EveryMind to bring a screening of the documentary "Angst" the Montgomery College. This film works to remove the stigma and open up the conversation around anxiety, helping people understand and manage their symptoms, and when to reach out for help. Most importantly, it shows people that they are not alone, and that anxiety is treatable. You can view the film's trailer here: https://www.indieflix.com/angst
Following the film, we will hold a panel discussion about mental health, anxiety, and it's impacts on not just the person struggling with those feelings, but the people care about them.
Register here

Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
During the pandemic, suicidal thoughts and behaviors have unfortunately become much more common. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) teaches participants how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Shining a light on suicide can save lives.
Tuesday September 14, 2021 from 12-1pm
Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 12-1pm
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 12-1pm
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 3-4pm
Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 1-2pm
Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 1-2pm
Monday, March 28, 2022 from 3-4pm
Thursday, April 28, 2022 from 11am-12pm
Register here

Mind Body Medicine Skills Groups
Mind-body medicine is based on the scientific understanding of the connection among our thoughts, sensations and feelings, and our mind, body, and spirit – between ourselves and the social and natural world in which we live. Mind-body skills (such as meditation, biofeedback, guided imagery, and self-expression in drawings, words, and pictures) are scientifically validated to reduce stress and restore physical and psychological health. 
Movement and Breathing: Tuesday, September 21 from 4-5pm 
Mind Body Medicine Overview: Thursday, October 21 from 4-5pm
Guided Imagery: Wednesday, November 17 from 4-5pm
Mindful Eating: Monday, December 6 from 4-5pm
Mind Body Medicine Overview: Tuesday, February 8 from 4-5pm
Drawing: Wednesday, March 23 from 4-5pm
Register here

Mental Health 101
Misinformation about mental health is a major factor that keeps stigma in place.  Our Mental Health 101 workshops, led by our Peer2Peer Program Peer Advocates, will dispel common myths about mental health, teach what a mental health disorder actually is, and give participants the basic tools to help themselves or loved ones who may be struggling.
Friday, September 10, 2021 from 2-3pmnew window
Tuesday, October 12, 2021 from 2:30-3:30pmnew window
Friday, November 12, 2021 from 3:30-4:30pm
No need to register, click the links above to join.

Peer2Peer Student Support Warmline
College is hard sometimes, so our Peer Advocates are here to listen.  Not counselors, but MC students themselves, they have shared similar experiences are here to talk with you about the struggles balancing school and personal life, navigating MC resources, developing relationships, or anything else you'd like to talk about.
The Warmline runs from September 13-December 1:
Mondays from 4-6pm
Tuesdays from 5-7pm
Wednesdays from 10am-12pm
Join the Zoom roomnew window during these times to chat 1-on-1 with one of the Peer Advocates.

Peer2Peer Student Support Groups
We know how important it is to connect with others, especially during remote school.  There are many challenges that different groups of people experience, so we're offering groups where students can meet, talk, listen, and learn about resources in a welcome and supportive space.
Vietnamese Language Groupnew window- Thursdays September 12, October 14, November 11, and December 9 from 2-3pm
International Student Groupnew window- Tuesdays September 28, October 26, and November 23 from 2-3pm
Life Skills Groupnew window- Thursdays September 23, October 7 & 21, November 4 & 18, and December 2 from 2-3pm
"All About the Magic" African American and Women of Color Groupnew window- Wednesdays September 15-December 8 from 12-1pm
"Not Your Average Student" Non-Traditional Student Groupnew window- Mondays September 13, October 11, and November 8 from 2-3pm
"Good Mourning" Grief and Loss Groupnew window- Fridays September 17, October 1, 15, & 29, November 12, and December 10 from 1-2pm and Tuesday November 23 from 3-4pm
1st Generation College Student Groupnew window- Fridays September 24, October 8 & 22, November 5 & 19, and December 3 from 1-2pm
No need to register, click the links above to join.

Stress Relief Events
While learning about stress management and coping skills is important, it's equally important to practice them!  Our Peer Advocates are running a variety of stress relief activities during the semester.
Muscle Tension & Relaxation Exercisenew window- September 14-December 7 Tuesdays from 4-4:15pm
Mind-Body Connection Relaxation Exercisenew window- September 17-December 10 Fridays from 10-10:15am 
"When Pens Dance" Creative Writing for Stress Reliefnew window- Fridays September 17, October 1, 15, & 29, November 12, and December 10 from 4:30-5pm
"Moving Through Stress" Movement for Stress Reliefnew window- Fridays September 24, October 8 & 22, November 5 & 19, and December 3 from 4:30-5pm
No need to register, click the links above to join.

• Counseling and Advising Office Locations, Hours, and Contact Information
  • Germantown: 240-567-7734 
  • Rockville: 240-567-5063 or 240-567-4104
  • Takoma Park/Silver Spring: 240-567-1480
• Personal Counseling
• Combat to College: Mentoring and support for veterans and military service members.
• Behavioral Intervention Teamnew window
• Title IX
• Public Safety
• Peer2Peer: Students helping students as peer educators, peer mentors, and peer navigators. 
• Mentoring Network
• Disability Support Services

Montgomery County 311new window: Call for information about any Montgomery County program or to request services. Available between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Browse programs and resources below. 

• The JED Foundationnew window
• Half of Usnew window
• Love Is Loudernew window
• Set to Gonew window: Your guide to the transition from high school to college and adulthood
• ULifelinenew window: Your online resource for college mental health
• The Steve Fundnew window

• Mental Health Americanew window
• National Alliance on Mental Illnessnew window

• The National Domestic Violence Hotlinenew window: 800-799-7233
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violencenew window
• No Morenew window

• The Trevor Projectnew window
• LGBT National Help Centernew window
• It Gets Better Projectnew window
• TransLifelinenew window

• Veterans Crisis Linenew window: 800-273-8255, press 1
• US Department of Veterans Affairsnew window

• Lifeline Crisis Chatnew window
• American Foundation for Suicide Preventionnew window
• National Suicide Prevention Lifelinenew window: 800-273-8255