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 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.

Sleep Awareness Week
One of the most important things we can do for our health is get good sleep, however it is something that many people struggle with.  During this Sleep Awareness Week workshop we'll discuss how sleep (and lack thereof) positively and negatively impacts our physical and mental wellbeing.  We'll also discuss ways to help improve the duration and quality of sleep you're getting.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 1:30-2:30pm
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 from 3:00-4:00pm
*Both sessions will be the same workshop

Students who attend will be entered into a drawing to win one of 30 Sleepy Time Bags filled with goodies to help promote a good night sleep like ear plugs, eye masks, Sleep tea, and more! 

"Enjoy Life Responsibly" Alcohol Safety Workshop
Alcohol is a major part of American college culture- it's something we hear about on the news, see in movies and tv, and may have participated in ourselves at some point.  Rather than moralizing or telling you never to have any alcohol, this workshop will be an exploration of how to use alcohol safely if you do choose to drink.  

Thursday, April 8, 2021 from 1:00-2:00pm

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