MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN THE BERKSHIRES
In School Resources
Counseling Office
Counselors, social workers, and psychologists that are available during school hours to meet with you
Peer Team
Fellow students (juniors and seniors) who can point you to resources
Health Office
See the school nurse and nurse's assistant for any of your health needs
Clubs On Campus
Find a group of students who are passionate about the same things as you
Mount Greylock Counseling Office
The Counseling Department, in support of the mission of the Mount Greylock Regional School District, serves as an integral part of the school community: to enhance and support the learning environment for students and to help them achieve academic and social-emotional development, and to also aid in career planning and workplace readiness. It is our mission to be proactive in nature, serve as advocates to students and parents, and work in collaboration with other entities within the school and the community in which we serve.
Students are welcome to come to the counseling office and ask Ms. Bridget, Office Coordinator, to meet with one of Mount Greylock’s social workers (Mr. Jones and Mr. Garo), school counselors (Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Casalinova, and Mr. Pannesco), or the school psychologist (Dr. O’Brien).
​
Students can also send an email to any one of the counseling office staff members asking for a meeting.
​
The length and frequency of appointments vary and depend on what the student needs and is comfortable with. Counseling office staff members can meet for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or an entire class period if needed. In addition to regularly scheduled appointments, students can access the counseling office as needed on a “walk in" basis as well​
Keith Jones
Social Worker
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Time at MGRS: 3 years
Hobbies: Snowmobiling, Snowboarding, Boating, Fishing, Camping, Gardening & Sports.
Fun Fact: I am a graduate of Mt. Greylock.
Kathryn Pratt
High School Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Time at MGRS: 1 Year
Hobbies: Reading, Traveling, Kayaking, Competing in Pub Trivia
Fun Fact: I have a four year old Bernese Mountain Dog named Cabot, and a two year old Yellow Lab named Porkchop. I plan to name all of my dogs after food.
PJ Pannesco
Middle School Counselor
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Time at MGRS 45 years
Hobbies: Boating, Classic Cars
Fun Fact: Lanesboro Volunteer FireFighter for 53 years
Geri O'Brien
School Psychologist
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Time at MGRS: 11 years
Hobbies: Reading, Listening to podcasts, Drawing, Gardening, Biking, Walking, Hiking.
Fun Fact: I grew up in Ireland
Gustavo Garo
Social Worker
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Time at MGRS 1 year
Hobbies: Fishing, camping, gardening, cooking and coaching flag football.
Fun Fact: One of my favorite things to do when I visit a new area, is to eat things that are reflective of the region and the people who live there.
Jessica Cassalinova
School Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Time at MGRS: 17 years
Hobbies: Baking, Thrifting, Reading, Sewing and Walking my dog
Fun Fact: I love sunflowers and I have a huge collection of antique buttons.
Peer Team
The Peer Resource Team is a dynamic representative group of juniors and seniors, who are trained during a yearlong course to participate in various service-learning initiatives. These initiatives serve the needs of the wider school community and specifically middle school students. Focus efforts may include recognizing bias and the harm it inflicts, building understanding of the value and benefits of diversity, improving intergroup relations, and confronting racism and all other forms of bias and oppression. The Anti-Defamation League and the Elizabeth Freeman Center provide an array of support to both students and programming.
​
Feel free to reach out to members of the peer team if you want to learn more about available mental health resources!
Health Office
Visit Nurse Nichole Russell (nrussell@mgrhs.org) with any health concerns!
Get involved in clubs!
Meeting and spending time with peers with similar interests to you is a great way to build a support system and boost your mental health. Community-oriented clubs at MGRS include:
-
Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA): A supportive group of students, of all different orientations, that welcome anyone who wants to join. GSA aims to educate the student body and to foster a feeling of acceptance in the community regarding gender and sexuality. Members work to create awareness and foster activism
-
Greylock Multicultural Student Union (GMSU): GMSU helps to educate students and staff about diversity issues in today's society as well as destroy common stereotypes. In addition, this organization will provide the opportunity to learn from each other by providing educational and social forums to promote diversity and cultural awareness.
-
Writing Club: The MGRS Writing Club meets weekly after school and is open to students in grades 7-12. WC is led by 2 or 3 enthusiastic Williams Writing Fellows, and offers a fun, supportive atmosphere for students to play group word games, respond to and share weekly writing prompts, and work on individual writing pieces. Advisor: Liza Barrett