Faculty Assisting Student Team (FASTeam) is a health and counseling resource available to support St. Mark’s students. The FASTeam is composed of the director of counseling, health services director, and school counselor. The team’s goal is to proactively offer health related resources and support to students before a serious health or discipline problem develops. Any St. Mark’s student or faculty member may make a condential referral to the FASTeam if they have a concern about a student’s emotional, physical, or behavioral well-being. The objective of FASTeam is to provide appropriate health-related resources, while also breaking barriers and stigma associated with asking for help. Individuals wishing to communicate concerns to the team may complete a confidential referral form (found on line or in Health Services, the Counseling Office, Dean’s Office, and residential houses) or may contact a team member directly. In certain health cases, specifically around alcohol or drug use/misuse, the director of counseling services and/or the director of health services may provide care in the form of our Substance Use/Misuse Health Response outside of the discipline area.

Although St. Mark’s is a substance-free School, there are occasions when students choose to use alcohol and/or drugs on campus. Experience shows that students can be deterred from seeking help for a friend because they fear they will get their friend into trouble. When a student’s health is at risk, the “Sanctuary Policy'' allows the student to get help through Health Services. Although students brought to Health Services under Sanctuary conditions will not come before the Student Discipline Committee, they will be held accountable through meetings with the school counselor. The student involved will be required to follow whatever recommendations result from these meetings, including the School’s Substance Use/Misuse Health Response. At the time of an incident involving substance use, actions may be taken to safeguard other students’ health, including confiscation of equipment or remaining substances. Students should understand that sanctuary is provided to encourage them to seek help for a potentially serious health problem, not to provide a haven for students who choose to drink or use drugs. Parents will be notified any time their child utilizes Sanctuary.  

St. Mark’s partners with a diverse team of local clinicians, including therapists of color and therapists within the LGBTQIA+ community. Mrs. Taylor and Ms. Barila can make appropriate referrals for students who are looking for long term counseling with out of school providers. Clinicians meet with students over zoom or come to campus weekly appointments at the Health Services Building. These meetings are confidential and provide the opportunity for students to seek support from objective professionals who are outside their day to day life. 

Additional mental health resources:

Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness-Mass General Hospital advocates for understanding and promotion of cross cultural and international student emotional wellness. Information available in Chinese and Korean.