Orono, Maine – UMaine Athletics and the UMaine Counseling Center has announced the hiring of Hailey Perkins ’21 as student-athlete therapist.
“I am pleased that we are able to offer a direct line of support for mental well-being to our student-athletes,” UMaine Director of Athletics Jude Killy says. “The fact that they will have someone in Hailey specifically, who has sat in their exact seats and shared their exact experiences as a former Black Bear student-athlete, is unique and fortuitous and something I believe our current student-athletes will be able to relate to and learn from.”
As the student-athlete therapist, Perkins will provide mental health and substance use disorder counseling and crisis services to student-athletes and serve as a resource for the campus community by providing training, consultation, and prevention services.
“As a previous UMaine student-athlete, and dedicated professional to the field of social work, I am looking forward to this collaboration in providing holistic care to the UMaine student-athlete population,” Perkins says. “Mental health as a whole has become a prominent concern within athletics, and the discussion will continue. What I envision with the collaboration of the Counseling Center and Athletic Department will just be the start of incorporating education, knowledge and skills for managing the mental health and wellness of each student-athlete. Accessible mental health services are a foundational need in ensuring each student-athlete has a successful and meaningful time here on campus “
During her time as an intern at the UMaine Counseling Center, Perkins provided one-on-one therapy, community outreach, and enhanced the center’s environment to meet students’ needs.
“The UMaine Counseling Center is committed to supporting the mental health needs of student-athletes across Maine’s Flagship University,” UMaine’s Director of the Counseling Center, Angela Fileccia, says. “We are excited to offer student-athletes targeted mental health support and service. Hailey Perkins, LMSW-CC is a life-long Mainer and former Division I collegiate athlete – this lived experience, coupled with her mental health expertise, will be an enormous asset to the student-athletes at UMaine. Hailey’s addition to the team will help ensure all our student-athletes reach their goals both on and off the field.”
Perkins, who was a member of the Black Bear softball team during her undergraduate years, was involved in several services assisting and leading other student-athletes during her time at UMaine. She provided tutoring and mentoring to fellow student-athletes and held a leadership role on her team.
Prior to being employed at UMaine, she was an intern at the University of Maine Counseling Center. As well as a behavioral health professional at Downeast Horizons, providing one-on-one behavioral support to children with developmental/intellectual needs. She was also a prior case coordinator at Wings For Children and Families where she coordinated services for children with intellectual/developmental needs.
Perkins earned her bachelor of science in Social Work in 2021 before obtaining her masters of science in Social Work from UMaine in 2023.
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