Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Rachel Wernicke has worked as an Army officer, psychologist, therapist, and coach. In 2019, she moved into her current role: associate dean and chief mental health officer at George Mason University.

For many in our community, the last month has been particularly troubling as our nation and world have weathered horrific tragedies, most recently with Friday’s release of the video showing the murder of Tyre Nichols.

As part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, George Mason University mental health leaders want to educate the campus community about the issues surrounding suicide and mental health, enabling Patriots to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.

In response to the growing need, the Student Support and Advocacy Center recently launched the application for the Ukraine Crisis Student Support Fund, which is available to Mason students from Ukraine and Russia who are experiencing financial challenges and hardships due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, Student Health Services and the Center for Psychological Services recently joined together to ensure all members of the Mason community—faculty, staff, students and contractors—have immediate free access to brief mental health services.