Coping in the Pandemic Resources

UConn Resources

Mental health resources from UConn & Student Health and Wellness


Student Health and Wellness—Mental Health
(SHAW-MH; formerly Counseling and Mental Health Services) continues to dedicate our efforts toward supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our campus community. Our guiding principle is the support of students while protecting the health of our students, staff, and faculty.

SHaW-MH is re-launching our Consultation and Support program virtually! Meet with a therapist by video or phone call for free and confidential support, Monday through Friday, 1:00-3:00pm. Get help problem-solving and learn more about mental health services and other resources available to you at UConn. Schedule online at https://myhealth.uconn.edu/.

For more information, visit https://counseling.uconn.edu/consultation-support-drop-in-hour/.

*Please note: The drop-in Consultation & Support program is not for mental health emergencies; students who are experiencing a mental health crisis are encouraged to utilize SHaW-MH on-call services by calling 860-486-4705, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Outside of business hours, call 911, or reach out to other great crisis resources (see https://counseling.uconn.edu/immediate-help/).

If you are experiencing a serious and immediate life-threatening crisis, please call 911 or the UConn Police Department at 860-486-4800.


Videos for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for COVID-19 Anxiety


Part 1: In this video we will talk about anxiety, how the COVID-19 pandemic may be affecting anxiety, and the ways Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be helpful. https://youtu.be/67JiBabvf

Part 2: This video will discuss how your thoughts influence anxiety.  From there, we will introduce skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help ease anxiety.https://youtu.be/BFo6efCIMtg

Part 3: This final video in the series will focus on behavior.  We will talk about behaviors common to anxiety and then introduce behavioral skills to decrease anxiety and improve wellbeing. https://youtu.be/hTo4FdSuH1A


Resources from InChip

COVID-19 in Focus: A Series of InCHIP Panel Discussions

How the Pandemic Response can be Informed by Behavioral and Social Sciences Research

October 22, 12:30-1:45pm – Fear, Threat, and Information Sources: Messaging and Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic

October 29, 12:30-1:45pm – Differential Burdens: The Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable and At-Risk Populations

November 12, 12:30-1:30pm – Pandemic Parenting: Understanding the Effects of COVID-19 on Child Caregivers

Resources from Dr. Becky Acabchuk

Meditation Mondays – 4pm on Webex  (I run this program)

Mindfulness Club – Meets Tuesdays 7pm on Zoom (This is student run, they often have guests)

App suggestions: 10% Happier, Insight Timer, Head Space


Some guided meditations Dr. Becky Acabchuk created on YouTube
The Compassionate Accountability Model – A Tool For Growth, Behavior Change and Anti-Racism (4 min)

Embracing uncertainty: a guided meditation (9 min)

Loneliness and connection: a guided meditation for coping with social isolation (12 min)

Mindfulness Mini Series #1 – Building Resilience (12 min)

Mindfulness Mini Series #2 – Self Care (6 min)

Mindfulness Mini Series #3 – Body, breath and book reading (9 min)

 

Counseling resources

Note that student health insurance (Anthem) provides coverage; only $5-15 copay required.

https://psychservicesclinic.uconn.edu/ Graduate group therapy available.

https://counseling.uconn.edu/immediate-help/

Online therapy: Better Help (https://www.betterhelp.com/)

Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us) Offers resources to find professional counselors. 

OCD hotline: SAMHSA Hotline 1-800-622-4357

Eating Disorders hotline:NEDA Helpline (800) 931-2237

Suicide prevention hotline:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Podcasts:

  • Anxiety
    • Unf*ck Your Brain
  • Eating disorders / relationship with food
    • Food Psych with Christy Harrison, MPH, RD
      • (also wrote the book, Anti-Diet)
    • RD Real Talk

Instagram accounts: 

  • @the.lovelybecoming
  • @thewellfull
  • @jennifer_rollin
  • @mh.advocates

UConn Graduate School Resources

UConn’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website
The Graduate School’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website
The Graduate School’s COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Coping with the Suspension of Research
UKindness

UConn Women’s Center website

Dean of Students Office

Members of the Dean of Students staff are available for online or phone appointments Mon-Fri from 1-3:30.  After clicking on the Nexus link below please select one the following staff members to schedule an appointment: Asst. Deans Luz Burgos-Lopez, Paula Wilmot, Kim Duby & Graduate Student Merry Ryer. To make an appointment with another staff member please email dos@uconn.edu.

Also check out:

 

Students First Fund

When a student is facing an unexpected crisis, we may be able to financially support through a Students First Fund grant. https://studentaffairs.uconn.edu/students-first-fund/

 

The Academic Achievement Center (AAC)

 

The UConn Writing Center is offering online tutorials https://writingcenter.uconn.edu

  • Students will be able to make 45 minute, individualized appointments using the online appointment scheduler. They can then launch a video connection from the appointment system.

 

The Q Center will offer online tutoring during their normal hours, https://qcenter.uconn.edu

 

The Center for Career Development – phone or virtual career sessions can be scheduled at https://uconn.joinhandshake.com/login. Also utilize virtual offerings at https://career.uconn.edu

Guide for Students is designed to provide students participating in online courses at the University of Connecticut with tools and strategies that can be used to assist them in their online studies. In addition to providing general information about online practices at the University, you will also be able to use this Guide to develop skills needed to ensure academic success in an online setting. 

Other Resources

Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Emotional well-being during COVID-19. In English and Spanish

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Taking care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty

Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Managing COVID-19 related anxiety; tips and resources with many links updated daily.

National Council for Behavioral Health; Resources and Tips

National Association of Domestic Violence. Information about intimate partner violence and COVID-19

Therapist Aid. Tools for therapists to use with clients including worksheets to ease symptoms of anxiety and teach healthy coping skills.

Mayo Clinic. Mindfulness for coping with anxiety including breathing and grounding videos

Calm App. Meditations, stories and music from the Calm App Website, now available for free because of the pandemic

Simple Habit. Many resources from Simple Habit mental health app to ease Coronavirus anxiety. Now free as a result of the pandemic.

SesameStreet.org. Topics include: Soothing & Comforting Each Other, Taking Care of Oneself, Talking with Your Child About COVID-19, Creating Routines During “The For Now Normal”

Making Time for Play and Joy

NCTSN. New Resource with activities for families. Offers activity ideas to parents and caregivers whose families are sheltering in place, social distancing, and homeschooling due to school closures amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

Audible. As long as schools are closed, kids can stream free stories and books.

Cincinnati Zoo; home live safaris daily for free

Virtual Museums and online learning free during COVID-19

A therapist’s list of coping skills and techniques to help clients with anxiety. These are ideas for therapists to use when working with children.

Top 10 Guided Meditations

Mental Health Apps

Dr. Wycoff’s Library of Psychology, Trauma, Education and Public Health Podcasts / Resources / Materials

Webinar Recording – Emotional Intelligence: Skills for dealing with uncertainty

Mastering social not emotional distancing

Managing Mental Health – counseling from UConn Student Health and Wellness

Ten Percent Happier

  • A free resource, that puts together a collection of meditations, specifically for managing coronavirus anxiety.
  • In addition, they are offering live meetings online everyday at 3pm, featuring different top meditation/mindfulness teachers.

The Conversation what-walden-can-tell-us-about-social-distancing-and-focusing-on-life’s-essentials

ZOOM Exhausted 6 tips

Setting Work Life Boundaries as a Remote Worker

 

For immediate emergency assistance:

  • Disaster Distress Helpline;Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; Call 800-273-8255 or Chat with Lifeline
  • Crisis Text Line; Text TALK to 741741

National Association of Domestic Violence hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE; https://www.thehotline.org/ is the website with a text option and chat function