MDC Outreach Services Overview

Following a well-established public health model that emphasizes the importance of primary prevention, MDC engages the USNA community through comprehensive outreach services designed to strengthen the Brigade’s resilience. These services are centered on prevention education and consultation for midshipmen, CO/SELs, faculty, and staff—aligned with MDC’s mission to increase access to care while reducing barriers and stigma around seeking help.

MDC’s outreach efforts support the USNA mission of leadership development by empowering midshipmen and the broader Brigade to recognize risks, make informed decisions, take meaningful action, and foster a culture of accountability and care within our community.

Our outreach services are committed to advancing community engagement and are grounded in an inclusive, responsive approach that meets the diverse needs across the Yard. This allows us to assess and tailor programming to support the unique needs of the Brigade.

We look forward to collaborating with you, supporting your initiatives, and strengthening the Brigade together. We’re available to meet you in classrooms, company or battalion spaces, ECA/team meetings, and beyond. To make a request, please contact us at mdc-outreach-group@usna.edu. You can also follow us on Instagram to receive updates on MDC events and mental health tips. 

How MDC Outreach Services Can Support You

• Information Services
  Sharing information about MDC services and mental health and wellness at resource fairs, orientation events, and welcome receptions. 
• Relationship Building
  Participating in and supporting community events and activities to foster connection and trust.
• Training and Education
  Raising awareness and building skills around mental health topics through panels, workshops, and skill-building sessions. We’re happy to tailor content to your needs. Common topics include: Stress Management, Resilience, Self-Care, Sleep, Nutrition, Healthy Relationships, Disordered Eating, Difficult Conversations, Teamwork & Leadership Development, and PRT Preparation. 
• Consultation & Assessment
  Providing professional consultation and needs assessments for members of the Yard community, including CO/SELs, faculty and academic departments, ECAs, and sports teams.
• Community Intervention
  Supporting individual and group healing through conflict mediation, postvention groups, and other restorative practices.

Current Outreach Program and Training: 

• Let's Talk offers accessible mental health outreach services outside the MDC suite, aiming to increase midshipmen's contact with mental health professionals and reduce stigma. 
• Mental Health First Aid for faculty, staff, coaches, etc. Please contact mdc@usna.edu for more information. 
• New Faculty Orientation: MDC is a part of a student support resources panel to help orient new faculty.  
• Detailers Resilience Training: The MDC offers resilience and distress mitigation strategies to Plebe Summer Detailers through a series of just in time training sessions and on-going consultation services designed to enhance Detailer's coping skills, mental toughness, and overall well-being.
• Plebe Summer embedded-mindset interventions: The MDC offers succinct, relevant and practical psychoeducational briefs and skills training to Plebes delivered in a timely, efficient, and proximal training that provides minimal training intrusiveness but maximal applicability to help mitigate the physical and emotional stress inherent to Plebe Summer training.
• Plebe Summer nutrition education outreach: Focused education is provided on how intentional nutrition supports both physical and mental performance while in a high demand training environment.  
• Peer Advisers Training: Subject Matter Experts from MDC provide training on topics related to mental health and wellness to Peer Advisers throughout the academic year. 
• PRT Workshop: Learn how to identify your ideal mindset, use simple strategies to refocus under pressure, and fuel your body with the right nutrition. This workshop combines mental and nutritional tools to help you perform at your best—on the field, in the gym, or during the PRT.

Joint Outreach, Training, & Prevention Programs: 

• PRT Walk Through: Interactive walkthrough of the PRT course led by a Sport Psychologist and the Director of Human Performance while learning physical and mental strategies to help you perform at your best.
• New Faculty Orientation: MDC is a part of a student support resources panel to help orient new faculty.  
• DeStressO bar:  To help manage normal final exam stress, the DeStressO bar offers a supportive environment with free coffee, snacks, and relaxation activities in Laboon. These gatherings provide a mental break, boost morale, and help midshipmen recharge as they prepare for their exams.
• Cross-training days for seven pillars of support: MDC joins other offices on the yard to provide training for midshipmen helpers who are a part of the Seven Pillars of Support (i.e., SHAPE PE, SAPR GUIDE, DRO, ADEO, CMEO, PS Character Development, and Peer Advisers).