Counseling

MISSION
The Counseling Services department seeks to promote the mental health and wellbeing of Mount Saint Mary College students by providing a welcoming, nonjudgmental, and safe environment that values and respects diversity and inclusivity.

WHAT WE OFFER
Counseling Services at Mount Saint Mary College offers free, confidential, short-term services for current, matriculated students seeking mental health treatment. Our professional counselors and clinical graduate interns help students work through a variety of mental health challenges that can arise during college through various services such as individual counseling, groups, psychoeducation, referral and resource assistance, and wellness-related campus events. All services are able to be accessed in person or virtually, regardless of whether a student commutes or lives on campus. Many students find it helpful to have a safe place to speak freely about their thoughts and feelings, and common reasons students seek out Counseling Services include: anxiety, depression, stress, and issues related to relationships, family, academics, and more. Counseling Services staff can also provide consultations to MSMC staff and faculty related to general student concerns and psychoeducational content, as well as classroom presentations and collaborations with other departments for campus events.

SCOPE OF CARE & REFERRAL SERVICES
There’s no shame in asking for help, and no reason is too small to come in to our office. However, there may be a time when a student requires more than what college counseling can offer, and in those cases our counselors will assist students in finding resources for receiving treatment off-campus. For example, students with a recent history of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, severe and active eating disorders, active psychoses, or who are experiencing serious and imminent risk of harm to self or others will likely be referred to community providers, given the need for ongoing treatment and resources that are not available through MSMC Counseling Services.

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT
All appointments are free and confidential, with no insurance needed. Appointments can be in-person or virtual using the Zoom platform. Students must schedule their own appointments – third parties are not allowed to schedule for someone else. Appointments can be scheduled between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday by calling the office at (845) 569-3115, emailing counseling@msmc.edu, or walking in to our main office in Aquinas 6 (down the hall from The View) and speaking with the administrative assistant or other staff member. If you schedule a virtual Zoom appointment, please find a private location so you will not be disturbed and can ensure your session is kept private. Zoom appointments are offered to both commuter and resident students.

CONFIDENTIALITY
The information shared with your counselor at MSMC Counseling Services is kept confidential in accordance with professional, ethical, and legal guidelines. Treatment records are kept separate from education records and are not released without your written consent. Only in situations where safety is a concern and there is imminent risk of harm can information be shared, and in these situations only for the purpose of ensuring safety. All of our counselors will discuss confidentiality with you upon your initial visit and on an ongoing basis, and can assist with any questions you may have.

EMERGENCY & CRISIS SUPPORT
If you are experiencing a life-threatening Mental Health emergency, or have serious reason to believe that someone you know is a danger to themselves or others, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. Students needing support for a non-life-threatening mental health crisis during normal office hours are encouraged to call or walk in to the office. Should a non-life-threatening crisis occur after normal office hours, resident students are encouraged to contact their RA, RD, or MSMC Campus Safety & Security (845-569-3200) to access support from campus staff and to request phone contact with an on-call counselor who can assess your situation and offer assistance. For after-hours emergencies, commuter students are encouraged to contact the following off-campus crisis helpline resources (based on MSMC commuter county information as of June 2023):
Orange County, NY
Orange County Crisis Call Center: 1-800-832-1200
Ulster County, NY
Ulster County Mobile Mental Health: (844) 277-4820
Sullivan County, NY
Mobile Mental Health (18+): 800-710-7082 or 845-791-7123
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
Rockland County, NY
Rockland County Behavioral Health Response Team: (845) 517-0400
Dutchess County, NY
Dutchess County Helpline: (845) 485-9700
Putnam County, NY
NAMI Putnam County Crisis Hotline: (845) 225-1222
Westchester County, NY
Crisis Prevention and Response Team through St. Vincent’s Hospital: (914) 925-5959
Bergen County, NJ
Bergen County Crisis Hotline: (201) 262-HELP (4357)
Fairfield County, CT
The Connecticut Mental Health Center Mobile Crisis Intervention and Evaluation Unit: (203) 974-7300
National Crisis Helplines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text line: 741741
The Trevor Project Lifeline (LGBTQIA+ specific support): 1-866-488-7386 or text “Start” to 678-678
LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline: 1-800-931-2237

SERVICES NOT PROVIDED
Due to the nature of college counseling, our office is not able to provide certain specialized services. We can refer students to community providers, if requested. This list is not exhaustive: if you have any questions, please reach out to the Counseling office. Services not offered include:
ADHD evaluations
Autism Spectrum evaluations
Psychiatric services
Medication management
Learning Disability assessments
Emotional Support Animal letters
Disability paperwork

CONTACT INFORMATION
Location: Aquinas 6
Main Office phone number: (845) 569-3115
Main Office email: Counseling@msmc.edu
Fax: (845) 569-3135
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm (hours may adjust throughout the year as needed; always refer to the MSMC website for updates or speak with a staff member)