Students

RUSM Counseling Center

Welcome to Ross University School of Medicine’s (RUSM) Counseling and Psychological Services webpage. We are dedicated to the health and well-being of the Ross community. Our services are free and strictly confidential and are offered to medical students, faculty, staff and their spouses/partners and family members, including children. We are available to address personal, academic or professional concerns as well as emerging and ongoing mental health issues.

Emergencies

Anyone who is in a life-threatening situation or needs immediate help may go to the nearest emergency room or community clinic, and/or call RUSM’s 24-hour emergency number at 767.235.9111.

Access

To arrange an appointment with a counselor call, visit or email us at the Counseling Center, Behavioral Science Department. Contact Kelly Sabaroche, office manager, at 767.255.6553 or via email ksabaroche@rossmed.edu.dm. The Counseling Center is located on campus next to Classroom 1 and is open weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. To help with students' busy schedules, early or late appointments are also available.

Staff Members & Confidentiality

Our staff members are experienced in serving the particular needs of medical students from diverse backgrounds. We work together in a multidisciplinary approach and function as an independent clinical entity, distinct from the RUSM academic program. Counseling staff members have no involvement in the academic assessment or promotion of students, and our records are not part of any academic file. Information is not shared with faculty or administrators unless the student/client authorizes a specific written release of information.

Counseling Center Staff:

Services

The RUSM Counseling Center provides psychological assessment, individual therapy, family and/or relationship counseling, career guidance, crisis intervention, medication evaluation/management services, and referral services for medical students, faculty, staff their spouses/partners and family members, including children. In addition to our clinical services, we also provide workshops and outreach programs regarding substance use, medical student impairment, relationship and stress management, coping with grief and loss, and other relevant professional development areas.

  • Relationships with peers, faculty, family, or significant others
  • Adjustment to living in a foreign country
  • Living with depression and/or anxiety
  • Stress related to being a medical student
  • Professional identity development
  • Living with grief and loss
  • Use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs
  • Relationship with food, eating and exercise
  • Issues related to cultural, gender and/or sexual identities
  • Critical Incident Response and Management (CISM)

Additional Resources

Below are resources you can use to learn more about mental health and well-being:

National Institute of Mental Health

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment and recovery of mental health concerns.

National Institute of Drug Abuse

NIDA's mission is to support and conduct research across a broad range of disciplines and ensure the rapid and effective dissemination significantly improve prevention, treatment and policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAMHSA works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction treatment and mental health services.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

National Sexual Assault Hotline

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline at rainn.org.