Mental Health Task Force
About the Task Force
The UMD Mental Health Task Force was charged by Senior Vice President Jennifer King Rice and Vice President for Student Affairs Patty Perillo with investigating the mental health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff by examining existing services, programs and resources, determining gaps and identifying interventions to enhance well-being on our campus.
Mental Health Task Force Members
Warren Kelley, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Co-Chair
Boris Lushniak, Dean, School of Public Health, Co-Chair
Annie Rappeport, Task Force Coordinator
Mary Kate Crawford, Associate Director, University Recreation & Wellness
Alexandra Debus (Fall 23-Spring 24), President, Student Government Association
Andrea Goodwin, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students
Joey Haavik (Fall 22-Spring 23), President, Graduate Student Government
Ayelette Halbfinger (Fall 22-Spring 23), President, Student Government Association
Erika Holdren (Fall 23-Spring 24), President, Residence Hall Association
Robert Infantino, Associate Dean, College of Computer, Math & Natural Sciences
Chetan Joshi, Director, Counseling Center
Lisa Kiely, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Ombudsperson
Rythee Lambert-Jones, Assistant Vice President, University Human Resources
Rafael Lorente, Dean, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Spiro Marinopoulos, Director, University Health Center
James McShay, Assistant Vice President, Engagement
Karen O’Brien, Professor and Faculty Ombuds, Psychology
Ben Parks, Associate Director, College Park Scholars
Autumn Perkey (Fall 23-Spring 24), President, Graduate Student Government
Tonya Phillips, Coordinator, Faculty/Staff Assistance Program
Ted Pickett, Associate Director, Counseling Center
Tom Ruggieri (Fall 22), Coordinator, Faculty/Staff Assistance Program
Simone Warrick-Bell, Counselor, Graduate School
Adam Younoszai, Assistant Director, UHC Behavioral Health
Key Findings
- UMD has a rich array of existing services, programs and resources, and we should implement new strategies to enhance the use of existing services.
- Best practices nationally reflect programs already here. We should build on these existing strengths before importing brand-new strategies.
- Many issues and potential solutions lie at the intersection of student, faculty and staff communities.
- It is essential to focus on broad community care and prevention programming, improve the culture and relationships and enhance inclusivity and respect.