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 have provided regular consultation over the first three years to help us strengthen our wellness resources. SMCM is now (2025-26) entering the fourth and final year of this specific collaboration, with the goal of enhancing wellness on campus and establishing ongoing systems to proactively pursue additional improvements moving forward.
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
- LiveWell Day: 11/5
Updates
JED Campus SMCM Update – Fall 2025
The SMCM JED Campus Team has made significant progress since the start of our partnership (Fall 2022). The SMCM JED strategic plan lays out 15 objectives (each with specific embedded goals) for improvement.
Seven of the 15 objectives are complete, and five additional objectives are almost complete (each having just one more goal to accomplish). Three objectives require more work and will be the focus for 2025-26.
| Goal | Percentage Complete |
|---|---|
| Strategic Planning for Wellness | 100% |
| Development of Life Skills | 50% |
| Promotion of Social Connectedness | 78% |
| Screening Opportunities | 83% |
| Mental Health Training | 83% |
| Support for Help-Seeking Behavior | 100% |
| Health Insurance | 100% |
| Leave Policies | 100% |
| Coordination of Care | 100% |
| Access to Care | 100% |
| Substance Misuse Support | 95% |
| Postvention Protocols | 17% |
| Emergency Responses | 100% |
| Promotion of Means Safety | 90% |
Overall Progress Year to Year (% of objectives at each status)
Looking at the goal level, under each objective, 81% are completed. The following graph from April 2025 shows the percentage of goals that have been completed (green), that are nearing completion (yellow), and still need work (red), as well as the change over 3 years.
We expect to complete the remaining by spring 2026, focusing on completing the new postvention policies and working on life skills and social connectedness. See here for the workgroup reports from April 2025 for additional details.
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
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 988lifeline.org
- The Trevor Project LGBTQIA Lifeline – 866-488-7386
- Counseling & Psychological Services – www.smcm.edu/counseling/
- 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.
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
- Crystal Gibson, Director of Athletics & Recreation
- 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), Crystal Gibson, Alise Maxie, Chuck Steenburgh
- 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!
