Campus Partnerships and Engagement

The Mental Health Coalition, chaired by Counseling Center staff, brings together students and staff who share a passion for mental health advocacy and a commitment to furthering the mental health and well-being of our community. The Coalition provides collaborative leadership in fostering a culture of mental health and wellness inclusive to the entire campus community through broad communication, campus-wide programming, and advocacy. We actively attend to the mental wellbeing of the campus community through three different mechanisms:

• Communication - engaging the campus community in mental-health oriented messaging.
• Programming - implementing large-scale, inclusive programs to raise awareness about the importance of mental wellness and engage the campus in practicing activities that improve mental health.
• Advocacy - advocating for campus policies that have a positive impact, both directly and indirectly, on mental wellbeing.

The Coalition meets regularly to discuss ways we can utilize communication, programming, and advocacy to improve the campus culture of mental health as well as to collaboratively develop, organize, and implement initiatives in service of this goal. Our group is open to new members and seeks members who are committed to actively participating in the group, which involves engagement in the development, planning, and implementation of campus-wide initiatives and programs.

The Counseling Center Student Advisory Board (CCSAB) serves as a formal avenue for communication between the UMD student body and Counseling Center. The board consists of student representatives who meet monthly with Counseling Center leadership to review mental health resources available to students and contribute to the implementation of productive changes at the Counseling Center. Additionally, the CCSAB, in collaboration with the Counseling Center, assesses the campus mental health climate and coordinates initiatives for resource promotion. The CCSAB and the Counseling Center welcome input from the student body on the services provided by the Counseling Center.

The Counseling Center has traditionally provided enrichment seminars for its staff and the UMD Community from experts on a variety of topics considered instrumental in increasing the breadth of knowledge of the Counseling Center staff. Topics often incorporate research in mental health, education, and identity. R&D seminars are held during the Fall and Spring semesters. To obtain a schedule of dates and topics for the current semester, please contact the Counseling Center.

The Counseling Center is proud to support the sustainability mission of the University of Maryland and the Division of Student Affairs. Among our contributions are:

• The Counseling Center was awarded a sustainability grant to improve opportunities for pollinators in the area adjacent to Shoemaker Building, where the Counseling Center is located.
• The Counseling Center participates in the Green Office program. Offices within the Counseling Center have achieved either bronze or silver status.

When you visit the Counseling Center, please take advantage of several amenities reflecting our support of the University’s sustainability efforts:

• a water bottle refill station
• recycling bins
• bike racks located near Shoemaker Building and covered bike storage in nearby Mowatt Lane garage

Help Center is a peer counseling and crisis intervention hotline run and operated by trained undergraduate students at University of Maryland. Since 1979, Help Center has provided free, anonymous, and confidential drop-in and hotline services to University of Maryland students and the surrounding community. Help Center is advised by the Counseling Center Director.

SKY Club at the University of Maryland conducts wellness and meditation events that focus on providing tools to mitigate stress, increase productivity, and build leadership and teamwork skills of the student community. SKY equips students with practical tools consisting of breathing techniques, meditation and yoga. In addition, the club facilitates a happier, more engaged community through fostering an attitude for service. SKY Club is currently advised by the Counseling Center Director.