COVID-19 & Your Mental Health

National & Local COVID-19 Resource Guide

Assembled by CWC counselors and interns this guide has information on suicide prevention, general COVID-19 information, resources for marginalized populations, food and shelter relief, and more.

COVID-19 Resources

For Students On-Campus and In Gainesville

  • For students experiencing an urgent mental health need we have on-call counselors available for brief consultations during business hours (8am-4pm). Give us a call at 352-392-1575 if you need to speak to an on-call counselor.
  • Our overnight and over-the-weekend emergency phone-support service remains available by calling our direct line (352) 392-1575.
  • The Counseling and Wellness Center is working on being able to offer telehealth services (phone- and video-based services) that are aligned with the laws and regulations pertaining to mental health practice and professional ethical guidelines. More information on those services will be forthcoming.
  • If you are not in Gainesville, we recommend you seek care in your local community.

Finding a Therapist in Your Home Community

For more information on how to connect with a therapist in your home community you should refer to Psychology Today therapist search tool or the CWC’s provider database. You may also contact the CWC for support at 352-392-1575.

What to do in a crisis or emergency?

National crisis hotlines and online services

Please note, the CWC has withdrew its endorsement of The Crisis Text Line after their CEO was terminated amidst allegations of its leadership’s racist and abusive behavior. We suggest the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Chat as an alternative.

UF Resources

Resources for Students

Resources for Faculty/Staff

Managing Concerns and Emotions about COVID-19

News reports about the coronavirus, together with concerns that the virus could become more widespread, is raising a number of concerns and making some people worry.

Below are some additional tips to help you put information and concerns in perspective, manage your worry, and maintain a positive outlook.

  • Seek accurate information and limit exposure to social media and news reports that provide no new information or inaccurate information. Here are some reliable sources of information:
  • Keep things in perspective. Take a deep breath and stay focused on what the situation actually is, rather than the worst-case scenario. It can be helpful to shift your focus to things within your control rather than things outside your control.
  • Acknowledge reactions. Allow yourself time to reflect on what you are feeling and how you may be reacting to any fears and uncertainties.
  • Maintain your normal day-to-day activities and keep connected. Resist withdrawing and isolating yourself. Maintaining social networks can foster a sense of normality and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress.
    • Feel free to share useful information you find on governmental websites with your friends and family. It will help them deal with their own worry.
    • If your day to day activities are disrupted by college closings, attempt to create structure in your day by: scheduling a normal bedtime and wake up time; structuring your time with hobbies, homework, reading, etc.; scheduling regular phone/video contact with friends and family
  • Follow the prevention and protection tips given by medical professionals such as the UF Student Health Care Center, national medical authorities, and your own medical doctor.
  • Practice calming rituals. The CWC has a list of suggested apps that can help. Stay grounded in the present moment, which can help you maintain an internal sense of stability and balance when outside events feel threatening.
  • Seek supports & use campus resources. Reach out to friends and family and learn about on-campus and off-campus resources that are available. If you or someone you know has high distress that does not seem to be lessening, talk about it with others, or contact the CWC. We have an online training called Kognito that can help give you the skills to talk to others. Your campus community is here to help!
  • Avoid stigmatizing or generalizing. Remember to keep in mind the kindness and empathy we always strive to treat one another with as we address this challenge together. Be aware if your behavior or attitudes change towards others from another country and avoid stigmatizing anyone who is sick as potentially having the Coronavirus. Often when there is uncertainty, our thoughts can become less compassionate and more fear based.
  • CollegeCOVIDGuide: Check out the COVID-19: College Students Quarantining in Unsupportive Environments Resource Guide, created by Haram Kim and her colleagues during Multiculturalism and Diversity in Counseling Psychology course supervised by Dr. Della Mosley at UF. As counseling psychologists-in-training working towards social justice, they want to acknowledge the challenges that college students are experiencing and provide resources for particular groups of students who may be more vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19 and quarantine.

Suggested Apps & Videos

CWC suggested phone and web apps, which are useful for a range of concerns, from grief to daily wellness.

  • Pandemic Project: Expressive Writing – This website gives you some ways to try out expressive writing to help you deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. By writing about your thoughts and feelings for as little as 5-10 minutes, you may change the ways you are thinking, feeling, and even sleeping.
  • Calm – Calm uses relaxing videos and music to guide meditation and help relaxation.
  • Headspace – Right now Headspace is offering a few free resources to help with pandemic related stress.
  • Guided Meditation for Times of Pandemic: Calling on Your Awakened Heart, lead by Tara Brach, PhD, a meditation for finding a calm refuge during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • How to Sleep When You Are Anxious, useful tips for falling asleep, by Dr. Jud Brewer, MD, PhD.
  • The Tapping Solution, tapping meditations for COVID-19 anxiety, including “Feeling Safe and Secure” and “From Fear to Worry to Peace.”

More Suggested Apps

Recognizing Distress – A Self Checklist

It’s not unusual to experience some — or even several — of the types of distress listed during times of uncertainly and stress.

  • Increased worry, fear, and feelings of being overwhelmed
  • Depressive symptoms that persist and/or intensify
  • Inability to focus or concentrate accompanied by decreased academic or work performance or performance of other daily activities
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Excessive crying
  • Isolating or withdrawing from others, fear of going into public situations
  • Unhealthy coping (e.g., increased alcohol or drug use, engaging in risky/impulsive behaviors)
  • A feeling of hopelessness and/or a paralyzing fear about the future
  • Sudden anger or irritability, or noticeable changes in personality

Seeking Support

If you notice these signs in yourself, reach out to family and friends for support, and engage in your usual heathy coping strategies (e.g. moderate exercise; eating well; getting adequate sleep; practicing yoga, meditation, or some other mindfulness activity; take time for yourself; engage in a hobby or other fun activity, etc.)

If your distress continues or gets to the point that you are having difficulty managing your day-to-day activities, then seek professional help. The CWC has on-call counselors available for brief consultations at our Radio Road location (3190 Radio Road) during business hours (8am-4pm). Give us a call at 352-392-1575 if you need to speak to an on-call counselor.

Adapted from: University of Indianapolis – “Psychological Tips for Managing Coronavirus Concerns” (https://www.uindy.edu/studentcounseling/scc-news-updates) & American Psychological Association- “Five Ways to View Coverage of the Coronavirus” (https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/pandemics)

 

Assess your personal risk as the US Reopens

Washington Post article, recommended: Four Concepts to Assess your Personal Risk as the US Reopens, by Leana S. Wen