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.   

Support Groups
To provide our students additional mental health support, we are offering no-cost to participant groups lead by Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Cedric Rashaw.

Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00-7:00pm
Register here to participate.

Mindful Mondays
Join us every Monday from 12-12:15pm from February 1 through May 3, 2021 for a 15-minute mindfulness meditation via videoconference to take a break in your day and recenter yourself.

"Flying Under the Radar"
Join the Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) Center for an intimate look into one man's struggle with depression, substance abuse, and the journey to recovery.  

Pablo Campos grew up angry and frustrated. Lacking healthy coping skills, Pablo engaged in risk-taking behaviors including using and abusing substances, which led to an attempt to take his own life while in high school. After multiple stays at inpatient facilities for depression and addiction, with unsuccessful results, he learned he had undiagnosed ADHD. With a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan, Pablo has been in recovery since May of 2008 which he defines for himself as being free from drug and alcohol use while maintaining stable and strong mental health. He talks about how stigma, cultural norms, and a lack of education affected him and how through help-seeking, education, and a strong support network he has grown from being his own worst enemy to a powerful participant in his recovery. Today, Pablo is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health speaker for Active Minds.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 3-4pm

Managing Stress with Mindfulness
As the semester draws to a close, its more important than ever to manage stress levels.  Mindfulness is an easy and non-judgmental tool that can be implemented in only 5 minutes, but can also be used for longer periods of meditation.  Join our workshop to learn about how to use mindfulness to manage your end of semester stress.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 from 3:00-4:00pm

• 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