Mental Health and 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.   

Support Groups
To provide our students additional mental health support, we are offering no-cost to participant groups lead by Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors.  Any student may register and participate.  Groups begin the week of September 14 and run through the week of October 19, 2020.  

• Mondays from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. with Cedric Rashaw, LCPC

Mindful Mondays
Join us every Monday from 12-12:15pm from September 14 through December 7, 2020 for a 15-minute mindfulness meditation via videoconference to take a break in your day and recenter yourself.

What Is Counseling?
Have you ever wondered what counseling actually is, what is expected of you as the client, or what you should expect your counselor to do?  You aren't alone, in fact many people don't really know what to expect from a counseling session.  Come and join our workshop series this semester to explore what individual and group counseling are, as well as what to expect if you see a psychiatrist.  Register for each session using the links below.

• "What is Individual Counseling?" by Cedric Rashaw, LCPC
  Monday, September 21, 2020 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• "What are Psychiatry and Assessment?" by Mary Jun So, DNP, PMHNP-BC
  Thursday, October 1, 2020 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Recovery in Quarantine
Join us for a workshop with Jivwe Partridge, LMSW, of BornFree Wellness on what substance abuse recovery looks like since the beginning of COVID-19 and the major changes to how we all live and interact. Register here.
**Postponed but will be rescheduled**

World Mental Health Day 
In celebration of World Mental Health Day, we will be hosting Javier Cabrera-Rosales from the Active Minds Speakers Bureau as he talks about his life experiences with mental health and substance abuse in "Cultural Identity and The Struggle to Belong: A Journey of Love, Trauma, and Acceptance."  Register here
Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Walk with the SHaW Center
Work out your mind and body with our Meditation Walks.  Every Tuesday in October we'll be doing a guided meditation as we walk around our neighborhoods, at a park, or wherever you'd like.  Sign up for weekly reminders or just join us each Tuesday from 1-1:30pm.

Stress and Anxiety Management: Learning Self-Compassion 
As midterms pass and finals approach, increased stress is expected among students.  Join us for a workshop exploring the impacts of stress on our physical and mental wellbeing and how we can use the principles of Self-Compassion to help us navigate the ups and downs of life. Register here.
Tuesday, November 3, 2020 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Raptor Lounge
Raptor Lounge is back!  Come to an open Zoom group to socialize and relax.  Bring a craft project, writing, or whatever you do for stress relief and join in for some purposeful down-time.  No homework allowed!

• Tuesday, November 17, 2020 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, December 10, 2020 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

• 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