JED Campus at SMCM
SMCM has partnered with JED (a nonprofit focused on emotional health and the prevention of suicide) to enhance our resources for supporting student mental health. SMCM established an interdisciplinary, campus-wide team to implement program, policy, and system improvements. JED subject matter experts provided regular consultation over four years to help us strengthen our wellness resources. SMCM JED met nearly all of its goals for enhancing wellness on campus and establishing ongoing systems to proactively pursue additional improvements moving forward. We are now JED alums (Summer 2026)! We plan to continue with the objectives we have achieved, ensuring continued focus on student wellbeing and mental health.
We celebrated the completion of the SMCM JED Campus initiative on May 5, 2026. We were delighted to see so many folks from campus come out for tacos, swag, and lawn games! We are particularly thankful to President Rhonda Phillips for opening the ceremony, Dr. Jerri Howland for launching the initiative and providing support from Student Affairs, Jenny Sivak for coordinating the event, Bon Appetit for catering the event, Joe from OIT for setting up the sound system, and our mascot Solomon for joining the festivities!
Events
- JED Steering Committee meetings: 11:30am to 1pm on 9/17, 10/8, 10/29, and 12/10
- JED Workgroup meetings: 11:30-1pm on 9/24, 10/15, and 11/19, and/or on other dates determined by the workgroups
- Send Silence Packing: 10/15 9am-5pm; the Pillow (near Schaefer Hall), rain location the ARC
- LiveWell Day: 11/5
Updates
JED Campus SMCM Update – Spring 2026
The SMCM JED Campus Team completed over 96% of its JED strategic plan objectives (each with specific embedded goals) for improvement. Thirteen of the 15 objectives were fully completed. Only three objectives were partially completed, but the campus will be working into the future on these issues. We hope that the SMCM JED Campus focus on student wellbeing and mental health remains a priority moving forward.
| Goal | Percentage Complete |
|---|---|
| Strategic Planning for Wellness | 100% |
| Development of Life Skills | 100% |
| Promotion of Social Connectedness | 100% |
| Support in Transition | 100% |
| Screening Opportunities | 100% |
| Mental Health Training | 67% |
| Support for Help-Seeking Behavior | 100% |
| Health Insurance | 100% |
| Leave Policies | 100% |
| Coordination of Care | 100% |
| Access to Care | 100% |
| Substance Misuse Support | 100% |
| Postvention Protocols | 33% |
| Emergency Responses | 100% |
| Promotion of Means Safety | 100% |
Resources
On Campus
- Bias Response Team – 240-895-2012
- CARE team – 240-895-4209
- Counseling Services – 240-895-2159
- Employer Assistance Program (EAP) - 1-844-405-8200
- Dean of Students – 240-895-4209
- Health Services – 240-895-4289
- IDEAA – 240-895-2225
- Medical Transport(non-emergency) – 240-895-4208
- OAS – Office of Accessibility Services – 240-895-2250/TTYx4327
- OFSA – Financial Assistance – 240-895-3000
- OS3 – Office of Student Success Services – 240-895-4388
- Office of Public Safety – 240-895-4911
- Office of Student Conduct – 240-895-4207
- Office of Title IX – 240-895-2012
Links & Hotlines
- 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- The Trevor Project LGBTQIA Lifeline – 866-488-7386
- Counseling & Psychological Services
- Protocall is a 24/7 toll free crisis hotline for SMCM students. To access ProtoCall services please dial 240-895-4200
- STEVE Textline for young students of color. Text “STEVE” to 741741 and connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7
In the Community
- Crisis Walk-in services at the St. Mary’s County Health Hub - 301-904-8949. 21625 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sante Southern Maryland - Call 877-618-0074 Mobile Crisis Teams Are Available 8 am to midnight/ 7 days a week. For help with: People in Crisis, Behavior Health Issues, Substance Use, Intellectual Disabilities and other Resources.
Thank you to the JED Steering Committee
- Jess Jolly, co-chair, Director of Counseling
- Libby Williams, co-chair, Professor of Psychology
- Chris Coons, Deputy Chief, Public Safety
- Crystal Gibson, Director of Athletics & Recreation
- Joanne Goldwater, Associate Dean for Student Success
- Lolita Hope, Staff Therapist
- Derek Young, Dean of Students
Thank you to our workgroup members
- Deb Bello, Director of Health Services
- Danielle Brush, Director of Residence Life
- Kelsey Bush, Community Affairs Liaison
- Anandi Ehman, Assistant Professor of Psychology
- Maria Haugaard, Staff Therapist
- Jerri Howland, VP for Student Affairs
- Kathy Koch, Associate Professor of Ed Studies
- Alise Maxie, Coordinator of Multicultural Programs
- Kelly O'Grady, Director of Accessibility Services
- Gretchen Phillips, Communications Specialist
- Ashley MicClintock, Office Associate
- Amanda VerMeulen, Director of the Library
- and to all the students who have helped us over four years!
SMCM JED Campus Steering Committee
Emotional health is a campus-wide issue that impacts and involves many campus departments and stakeholders. To be most effective in our SMCM JED Campus effort, we have formed an interdisciplinary team to work on campus-wide strategies to promote emotional health and prevent substance misuse and suicide. Our team consists of ten interdisciplinary members of the campus community.
Co-chairs Libby Williams, Ph.D. and Jess Jolly, MSW, LCSW-C are joined by these members of the SMCM Community on the JED Campus Team:
- Chris Coons, Assistant Director of Public Safety
- Lolita Hope, Staff Therapist, Counseling and Psychological Services
- Derek Young, Dean of Students
- Hyun S. Chung, Student Representative
SMCM JED Campus Workgroups
- Communications Group: Libby Williams (Chair), Alise Maxie
- Emergency and Crisis Management: Jess Jolly (Chair), Kelsey Bush, Chris Coons, Kathy Koch
- Health and Counseling: Lolita Hope (Chair), Anandi Ehman, Kelsey Galinski, Maria Haugaard, Ashley McClintok
- Policies and Orientation: Jess Jolly (Chair), Danielle Brush, Kelly O’Grady, Amanda VerMeulen, Derek Young
Please email Dr. Williams (enwilliams@smcm.edu) if you would like to join one of the Workgroups. We welcome students, staff, and faculty. We are especially looking for new student members on all of the workgroups!
