Professional Mental Health

The Office for Professional Mental Health provides counseling services free of charge to the following groups:

• College of Medicine graduate, MD and PA students

• Penn State Health medical residents and fellows

• Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center faculty and physicians

• Penn State University nursing students on Hershey rotations

• College of Medicine faculty

Appointments are scheduled and based on counselor availability. Counselors offer flexible appointment times, which include evening availability. The office encourages everyone to come in and talk, even if they are not sure that counseling is what they need. During the initial meeting, participants will develop a course of action with their counselor.

In addition to students on campus in Hershey, services are also available to Penn State College of Medicine MD students enrolled in the University Park Curriculum. Students in the University Park Curriculum may access services from providers by coming to the Hershey campus and/or using teletherapy services provided by PMH. Additionally, students at University Park may make use of the Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park.

When referrals are made to mental health providers outside of the Office for Professional Mental Health, these service are normally covered under the provision of the student or employee’s health insurance policy.

There are many concerns that may lead someone to seek support from the Office of Professional Mental Health:

• Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder

• Anxiety

• Adjustment to starting a new role in the College of Medicine or Penn State Health

• Interpersonal/relationship difficulties

• Personal or family crisis

• Grief and loss

• Academic performance and motivation

• Personal growth and development

• Eating behaviors and body image

• Alcohol and substance use concerns, relapse prevention

• Trauma/assault

Providers within the Office for Professional Mental Health strive to uphold strict confidentiality. As such, all information shared during counseling is confidential. No one outside of the office may have access to the specifics of sessions without the written consent of students, except in situations where there is a threat or danger to life. Records are not a part of the student’s academic file.

The most common clinical services in the Office for Professional Mental Health include:

• Individual counseling

• Couples counseling

• Psychiatric evaluation and medication management

• Brief case management (providing referrals to other agencies and assisting with accessing resources in the community)

Short-term, goal-directed counseling is available to all whose concerns that fall within the Office for Professional Mental Health’s scope of practice. There is no formal limit of the number of sessions. Some individuals need only a few sessions to develop coping strategies or talk through an event. Other individuals may need ongoing care to monitor medications or work in therapy. Those seeking services will receive appointments, referrals and consultation based on student need and service availability. Sessions can be conducted in person or remotely. If specialized or more services are needed than PMH can provide, the staff will provide referral options. There are many benefits to counseling, including improved relationships with friends and family, better ability to manage stress and increased academic success.

No-Show or Late Cancellation

We understand that commitments and schedules can change. However, we request that individuals are very mindful when it comes to either cancelling or not showing for sessions. Our services are in very high demand. When a spot is booked and then not used, that affects the ability for others to receive the care that they need. We request that if you need to change or cancel an appointment that you contact the office and provider as early as possible so that the opening can be offered to other clients. If someone has multiple no-shows or late cancellations, we will have to consider a referral to community resources. This policy is not to be punitive but to ensure that a limited but valuable resource is available to as many individuals as possible. Thank you for your cooperation.

Psychiatric evaluation and medication management is provided by Dr. Martha Peaslee Levine. Services are available to the following groups:

• College of Medicine graduate, MD and PA students

• Penn State University nursing students on Hershey rotations

• Penn State Health medical residents and fellows

• Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center faculty physicians

• College of Medicine faculty

As with other services through PMH, all visits are free. The only cost will be medication co-pays. As with counseling, if an individual requires more services than can be provided through PMH, community referrals will be provided.

Refill Requests

For refill requests, please allow at least 48 hours for processing. Requests should be emailed both to Dr. Levine (mlevine1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu) and PMH (pmh@pennstatehealth.psu.edu). This helps to ensure all requests have been filled.

Prescription requests should include:

Individual’s name
Name and dose of medication being requested
Pharmacy name and location (please designate if this is a change in pharmacy)
Date of birth

If a prior authorization for a medication is required, we will need insurance information and the address that is connected with the insurance.

Please look at your prescription bottle before requesting refills to ensure that you actually need one. While controlled substances can’t be set up for refills, other medications can be prescribed with additional refills. Dr. Levine tries to ensure that you have refills for at least a few months to ensure continuity of care.

The Office for Professional Mental Health strives to provide as many clinical services as possible. However, because some services take tremendous personnel resources, present a conflict of interest, are beyond the scope of the group’s mission or require specialization, there are some services not provided, including:

• Services to alumni

• Services to students enrolled at Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses or World Campus

• Clinical services to staff

• Specialty care

• Intensive substance-abuse treatment

• Intensive outpatient treatment

• Testing for learning disabilities and/or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

• Assessment and documentation for service or emotional support animals

• Forensic evaluations

• Neuropsychological evaluations

• Court-ordered treatment or treatment that is the stipulation of probation

• Fitness for Duty evaluations

• Evaluations for attorneys or courts related to difficulties such as alcohol infractions (e.g., driving under the influence) or other domestic matters such as parents seeking custodial authority of a student

• Services to those who are not medically stable or require intensive medical treatment

• Services to those with a desire or need to be seen more frequently than the Office for Professional Mental Health resources can provide

• Formal testing for learning disabilities and/or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

• Services to those for whom a short-term treatment model (e.g., up to 16 sessions) would be detrimental or inappropriate to the diagnosis or clinical issues

• Services for those who needs fall outside of the clinical expertise of Office for Professional Mental Health staff

• Services for those who engage in inappropriate, harassing, menacing, threatening or violent behaviors toward Office for Professional Mental Health staff

All students, residents/fellows, physicians, and faculty seeking services will receive an initial appointment. Additional appointments (extended assessment, second opinion, etc.) may be needed to determine the appropriateness of services. After the assessment is concluded, a decision will be made about whether or not the needs fall within the role and scope of the Office for Professional Mental Health. If a need does not fall within the role and scope of the Office for Professional Mental Health, the office will work with the person requesting support to help them access necessary resources within the community.

The Office for Professional Mental Health seeks to improve the overall well-being of individuals on campus by offering programs that will aid participants in improving their own mental health and that will decrease the stigma associated with seeking support for mental health concerns.

Workshops and Presentations

The office provides workshops, presentations and discussion groups. Providers within the office are open to supporting other offices, programs and departments through consultation and providing lectures/programs that aid with increase mental well-being across the campus.

Topics that have been provided in the past include: Beating Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Awareness, Burnout Recovering and Prevention, Stress Management and Reflective Journaling.

QPR Training

QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer – three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. QPR is not a form of counseling or treatment. Rather, it is intended to offer hope through positive action. Those who learn QPR will come to recognize the warning signs, clues and suicidal communications of people in trouble, and skills to act vigorously to prevent a possible tragedy. Learn more about the QPR course and certification.

Providers within the Office for Professional Mental Health may choose to become involved with committees and programs across the campus or within the community that aid with increased well-being and decrease the stigma related to mental health. Email Dr. Martha Peaslee Levine for details at mlevine1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

COMMpanion

COMMpanion is a personalized approach to primary care that provides members with access to a provider, nurses and care navigation. Contact 1-833-774-2676 or visit commpanionhealth.com to learn more.

SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program

The SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program is available as a resource for residents, fellows, faculty, staff and physicians. It is not available to students. The program can be reached 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Penn State Health employees: Call 888-881-5462 or visit www.supportlinc.com (group code psh)

• Penn State University employees: Call 888-501-3532 or visit www.supportlinc.com (group code pennstate)

Peer Supporter Program

The Peer Supporter Program is a student group that helps provide counseling to other students. Students have been selected and trained to provide confidential, 1:1 support to peers. This program is intended to provide even more support to our students as they navigate each stage of their education to further enrich our current support services.

Please reach out to peersupporter@pennstatehealth.psu.edu with any questions.

Find information about peer supporters, including availability and bios.

Sign up here to receive counseling services from the Peer Supporter Program.

Virtual Services Overview

• Services are offered via telephone and Zoom.

• Contact a provider to schedule an appointment.

Outreach Programming

PMH staff can join your group for Zoom-based education, training or discussion. Please contact us via email with your request.

Additional Penn State Resources

• WellTrack: This is a 24/7 self-assessment and self-treatment for anxiety.

• Thriving Campus: This is a way to find a mental health provider nearby.

• Life Hacks: Life Hack Kits (wellness packages) and Lively Virtual Workshops are available for all enrolled Penn State students through Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services.

Mental Health America Screenings

Free, anonymous, online mental health screenings are available through Mental Health America’s website. Following screening, those completing the questionnaires will be provided with information, resources and tools to discuss the results with a provider and can contact the office to make an appointment in the Office for Professional Mental Health.

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Bipolar

• PTSD

• Addiction

• Psychosis

• Dauphin County Crisis Intervention: 717-232-7511

• YWCA/Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Services: 717-238-7273

• TrevorLifeline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

• Veterans’ Crisis Line: 800-273-8255

• Physician Support Line: 888-409-0141 and physiciansupportline.com

• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

• Connections: Emergency behavioral health crisis walk-in center in Harrisburg

OnDemand mental health therapy

OnDemand mental health therapy enables patients ages 10 and older to see a licensed psychologist or counselor online to address common behavioral health challenges, such as anxiety, depression and grief counseling. A typical session is 45 minutes. Therapists also can coordinate future virtual appointments with a psychiatrist, if needed.

Licensed psychiatrists can provide psychiatric assessments, evaluations and treatment through OnDemand Psychiatry. An initial consultation lasts 45 minutes. Psychiatrists also can provide care and ongoing medication management for a variety of conditions such as bipolar disorder, cognitive disorders, eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Patients using either the therapy or the psychiatry services will receive an individualized treatment plan, and the provider may recommend future visits and/or medication. Only psychiatrists can prescribe medication, and they are not able to prescribe controlled substances through virtual visits.

Virtual visits are secure and comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act patient privacy standards. Sessions are not recorded. Patients have the option of sharing session notes with their primary care providers through the service and may also request a copy for their own records.

To schedule an appointment, patients will need to create an OnDemand account, if they do not already have one, and enter their insurance information. Patients should check their insurance benefits plan to understand costs they may incur.

Employees and their family members may schedule their OnDemand Mental Health Therapy and/or Psychiatry appointments through the Penn State Health OnDemand website or the mobile app. Anyone who needs help setting up their account should contact the virtual health concierge team at 833-774-3627.

These virtual services do not replace the current Employee Assistance Program offered through Human Resources. The OnDemand virtual offerings are an additional means of support. Details about the EAP can be accessed through the mySolutions portal on the HR Infonet site.