Counseling Services is a health services office that aims to support students in achieving success in areas of academics and personal growth through short-term, outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment, educational presentations, and collaboration with other student support services at Mount St. Mary’s University.
Counseling Services works to enable students to address behavioral and emotional concerns so they are able to take full advantage of the academic and social opportunities of their college experience. All support provided by Counseling Services is free of charge. Counseling Services provides counseling during the fall and spring semesters.
Treatment
Counseling Services offers a range of treatment options and resources for students, including:
- Short-term individual counseling*
- Group counseling offerings - Fall 2021 groups
- Living with Loss – a grief support group. Meetings are every Thursday from 5-6pm in Gelles Conference Room (McGowan Center 2nd floor)
- Into the Unknown – a transition group for those new to the Mount. Meetings are every Monday from 6-7pm in the Health Services Office (McGowan Center 1st floor)
- Walk-in appointments
- Crisis response/intervention
- Educational programming
- Links to off-campus mental health and substance abuse treatment
*Remote support via phone or Zoom is also available at this time.
Getting Started
If you would like to be connected to a counselor in our office, please complete the Counseling Services Inquiry Form. Due to high demand for individual counseling at this time, a counselor will contact your by phone or email in a timely manner in order to gather information and connect you to the most appropriate resource available. Recommendations may include:
- Individual Counseling with a Counseling Services Counselor (when available)
- Group Counseling
- Off-campus treatment referral or resources
- Other on-campus resources
Lower McGowan
Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
In an Emergency
Call Public Safety at (301) 447–5911 and they will contact a counselor.
Crisis Support
If you or another student are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please seek the following support:
- Come to Counseling Services during business hours for a walk-in appointment.
- Contact Residence Life or your RA.
- Contact Mount St. Mary’s University Public Safety at 301-447-5911 (available 24/7).
Off-Campus Hotlines
Suicide Prevention
- Frederick County, Md. Hotline: 301-662-2255
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (Press “1” if a veteran in crisis)
- 2-1-1 Maryland: 211 or 1-866-411-6803
- Maryland Crisis Hotline: 1-800-422-0009
- Maryland Community Services locator: https://211md.org/
- Mental Health Association of Frederick County Guide to Mental Health and Community Support Services: www.fcmha.org/mhaguide
- Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 741-741
- The Trevor Line (Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ Youth): 1-866-488-7386
Substance Abuse Treatment
- Treatment Referral Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
Sexual Assault/Dating Violence
- The Heartly House (Frederick): 301-662-8800
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-800-331-9474
COVID-19 Response
Counseling Services seeks to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our students. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Counseling Services requests that students respect the following office guidelines:
- Please do not come to Counseling Services appointments if you are sick or not feeling well.
- It is required that students wear masks while in the Counseling Services office.
- Please do not bring food or drink to your counseling appointment.
- Please respect physical boundaries while in Counseling Services as much as is reasonable.
Any questions or concerns about COVID-19 response can be sent to Gerald Rooth, Director of Counseling Services (rooth@msmary.edu).
You can learn more about the Mount's response to COVID-19 through our Mount Safe Initiative.
Confidentiality
Counseling services abide by state laws and professional ethical standards in maintaining confidentiality. These standards prevent us from releasing information to anyone without the written consent of the student. Disclosure of information may be made if, in the professional judgment of the counselor, the student presents a danger to themselves or others or if the counselor has reasonable belief of abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult.
For Parents
We welcome your calls if you have a concern about your child, however, your child will have to contact us to initiate services.
Contact a Counselor
Gerald T. Rooth, M.S., L.C.P.C.
Director of Counseling Servicesrooth@msmary.edu | 301-447-5003
Elizabeth Kellett, M.S., L.C.P.C.
Assistant University Counselore.f.kellett@msmary.edu | 301-447-3429
Joseph Morrissette
Assistant University Counselorj.r.morrissette@msmary.edu | 301-447-5002