MCC Continues to Enhance Mental Health Services for Students

As part of the college’s 2022 Professional Day, Middlesex Community College welcomed keynote speaker Dr. Nicholas Covino, President of William James College (WJC), to discuss the current mental health crisis impacting students. Middlesex continues to strengthen and adapt its mental health practices to better meet students’ needs by developing partnerships with external institutions, providing more access to mental health services and resources, and equipping faculty and staff with relevant strategies, knowledge and skills.

“With the help of state funding, Middlesex is proud to partner with William James College to create a professional development program for MCC faculty and staff to learn how to more effectively address the health and wellness needs of our students,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’s President. “The Center for Behavioral Health, Equity and Leadership in Schools at WJC is uniquely positioned to work with MCC, focusing on the topics of student mental health, diversity, equity, inclusion and social emotional practices in the classroom. We look forward to collaborating with WJC, Dr. Nadja Lopez Reilly, and our faculty and staff to find ways to keep our students well and on their paths to graduation, transfer opportunities, and stable careers.”

“The attendance and level of investment at the MCC Professional Day was most impressive,” President Covino said. “The college's commitment to moving to a public health model of prevention and wellness promotion embraces the mental health needs of all students on campus and provides support to those who have need for individual care. We're very grateful to MCC for our growing partnership.”

During his discussion, President Covino addressed the Youth Mental Health Emergency declared by the U.S. Surgeon General. Speaking on how the crisis has been developing for over a decade within higher education, President Covino also emphasized that the trauma, social isolation and helplessness brought on by the pandemic worsened the situation.

Believing that higher education is one of the best spaces to help heal the crisis and trauma from the pandemic, President Covino called for a new model of behavioral healthcare on campus. This includes providing more access to education on this topic for educators, as well as rethinking pedagogy, policies and climates on campus.

During the response panel, Leonard Russ, MCC’s Assistant Dean of Student Support Services, talked about the college’s new partnership with Christie Campus Health, an online mental health service that is free for students. This new partnership led to the creation of MCC’s new wellness hub that includes 24/7 access to a support line, counseling services, and a suite of self-help materials. Lynn Gregory, MCC’s Wellness Counselor, discussed how faculty can make counseling referrals to students, while social science professor Michael Cermak shared how he handles student issues inside the classroom.

President Sisson and Lopez Reilly ended the panel by discussing the creation of the professional development program to support Middlesex faculty, staff and students. “It is an incredible opportunity that WJC has to partner with MCC in thinking about what do we do to promote social and emotional learning,” Lopez Reilly said.