For Parents and Families
Coming to Landmark College marks a significant milestone for a student.
Parents and family members often have a long history of being actively involved in their student’s education and other support services. As a result, the transition to college and the letting-go process can be particularly complex for Landmark families. Below is some information about how we might be of service to you, contact information and suggested books and links to resources.
Services for Students
The Counseling Center offers confidential, time-limited individual and group counseling as well as urgent walk-in appointments, emergency mental health services, and psycho-educational programming. We are open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and we have an on-call counselor available for emergencies at all times. Students bring a variety of concerns to counseling, such as homesickness, anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationship problems, alcohol, drug and addiction issues, sexuality concerns, eating concerns and many other personal and developmental issues.
Consultations with Parents
If your student is going through an emotionally difficult time and you are worried about him/her, we want to hear from you. Speaking with a counselor may help you to put things in perspective, or figure out how best to offer advice or support. Although our confidentiality guidelines may prohibit us from letting you know if your student is in counseling (or the content of sessions), we encourage you to communicate your concerns to us at any time.
It is understandable that concerned parents and family members might want to check and see if their student is coming to counseling and making progress. Nevertheless, confidentiality is vital to the success of the counseling process. We, as mental health professionals, are bound to adhere to the legal and professional guidelines that are in place to protect the privacy of those students with whom we work. Therefore, without a student’s signed consent, we are unable to release any information, including whether or not they have contacted us or come to counseling. This is true even if they have given you verbal consent to speak with their counselor.
Under very specific conditions, we may be required to break confidentiality, but if possible, this will be done in collaboration with the student and with his or her consent. More about confidentiality.
In a Mental Health Emergency
If you are worried about your child’s safety, we encourage you to contact us. Parents and family members are often the first people who identify when a student is in distress or with whom students communicate when they are in emotional turmoil. If you have a serious concern and think your student may be at risk of imminent harm, please contact Counseling Services or the office of the Dean of Students. If you cannot get in touch with Counseling or the Dean of Students, please call Campus Security at 802.387.6899 or 911.
Resources for Parents and Families
On Campus Contacts
- Counseling Services: 802.387.1636
- Health Services: 802.387.6753
- Parent Services: 802.387.7175
- Dean of Students: 802.387.6713
- Campus Security: 802.387.6899
Books for Parents
- College of the Overwhelmed: The Campus Mental Health Crisis and What to Do About It, by Richard D. Kadison and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo (2004).
- Don’t Tell Me What To Do: Just Send Money, by Helen Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller, (2000).
- Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years, by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger (2003).
- The Happiest Kid on Campus, by Harlan Cohen.
- When Your Kid Goes to College: A Parent’s Survival Guide, by Carol Barkin (1999).
- 1001 Things Every Teen Should Know Before They Leave Home (Or Else They ‘ll Come Back), by Harry H. Harrison Jr. (2007).
Books for Your Student
- 1001 Things Every Teen Should Know Before They Leave Home (Or Else They ‘ll Come Back), by Harry H. Harrison Jr. (2007).
- 1001 Things Every College Student Needs to Know (Like Buying Your Books Before Exams Start), by Harry H. Harrison Jr. (2008).
- The Naked Roommate, by Harlan Cohen (2011).
Websites and Mental Health Resources
- College Parents of America’s mission is to assist families in the successful preparation, transition, adjustment and completion of the college experience.
- CollegeDrinkingPrevention.gov is your resource for comprehensive research-based information on issues related to alcohol abuse and binge drinking among college students. Created by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
- The Brattleboro Retreat provides specialized diagnosis and treatment services for adults who are experiencing a wide variety of mental health and addiction problems.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Psychiatric Association
- Mental Health America
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
- Families for Depression Awareness