Original Source: today.umd.edu
This fall, the University of Maryland (UMD) is rolling out an exciting array of initiatives aimed at bolstering mental health and wellness support for its community. Among the new offerings are enhanced on-campus services for substance use treatment, a wellness ambassador program for graduate students, and peer-led workshops designed for living-learning communities.
The Counseling Center will implement an innovative embedded clinicians program, placing mental health care providers in select schools and colleges. Additionally, a new team is being introduced to streamline access to mental health treatment, while the Faculty Staff Assistance Program will welcome a new counselor to their ranks.
All these resources are now easy to access through a new UMD website, which consolidates essential mental health services for students, faculty, staff, and families. This comprehensive portal includes various tools—from after-hours crisis support and guided meditation to therapy dog visits.
As universities across the nation face rising mental health challenges, UMD has proactively invested in these wellness initiatives. A task force established in 2022 highlighted the pressing need for improved mental well-being resources, revealing significant feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression among students, faculty, and staff.
The task force, made up of diverse UMD stakeholders, crafted recommendations to better promote existing mental health resources, enhance training in mental health first aid, and introduce mental health courses, such as “U SAD?: Coping with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression.”
Among notable initiatives is the Substance Use Intervention and Treatment (SUIT) program at the University Health Center, led by Rachel Alinsky, M.D., a pioneering physician focusing on substance use issues. This program provides comprehensive medical services and resources to assist students grappling with addiction and related challenges.
Graduate students also have new peer support through the Wellness Ambassadors program, which empowers them to lead conversations about academic burnout and self-care. This initiative encourages graduate students to take charge of their wellness journey and engage their peers effectively.
The RADical Health program, aimed at freshmen, encourages students to discuss their stressors and learn coping strategies from one another. This innovative peer-led model fosters a nurturing, open environment for sharing personal experiences, making it both relatable and impactful.
Thus, UMD is vividly enhancing its mental health landscape through targeted resources, community engagement, and innovative programs, all aimed at fostering a supportive culture conducive to well-being and academic success.
The University of Maryland is responding to the growing mental health crisis prevalent in educational institutions. As stressors such as the pandemic have heightened issues of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, UMD is expanding its mental health services to address these challenges effectively. The introduction of new programs and resources reflects a commitment to support the well-being of its students, faculty, and staff by creating an informed and caring community.
In summary, UMD’s strategic investments in mental health and wellness services are timely and necessary. The expansion of resources such as the SUIT program, the Wellness Ambassadors initiative, and RADical Health exemplifies a dedicated approach to enhancing well-being across the campus. These efforts aim to cultivate a compassionate environment that recognizes and actively addresses the mental health challenges faced by the university community, ensuring that every Terp feels supported and valued.
