Mental Health & Wellness Resources for COVID-19

The following information is provided by the TU Counseling Center.

Coronavirus Updates

View all news and updates from Towson University about coronavirus.

With the recent news about the spread of the novel coronavirus (also known as COVID-19), we are aware of the potential impact on many in our community at TU.  Understandably, stress and anxiety can arise in the midst of uncertainty or fears about your health, or a loved one’s health. Some students may feel stigmatized or experience racist and/or xenophobic remarks by those fearful of contracting the virus. We want to acknowledge the harm these developments may have caused on our campus and students.

Please consider reaching out to the Counseling Center if you (or another student you know) are experiencing any of the following:

  • Excessive worry, fear, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed
  • Persistent sadness, tearfulness, and/or loss of interest in pleasurable activities
  • Feelings of hopelessness and/or paralyzing fear about the future
  • Unexplained physical symptoms, such as an upset stomach, increased heart rate, nausea, fatigue, etc.
  • Increased anger, irritability, agitation and/or disruptive behaviors
  • Inability to concentrate or focus
  • Significant changes in sleep, appetite and/or self-care.
  • Unhealthy coping (e.g. increased substance abuse, engaging in risky/impulsive behavior, etc.)

Coping tips

Tips for Managing Emotional/Psychological Distress

Acknowledge your feelings and emotions. Allow yourself time to reflect on what you are feeling and how you may be reacting to any fears and uncertainties of the future.

Maintain your normal day-to-day activities and routines. Resist withdrawing and isolating yourself. Maintaining social connections can foster a sense of normality and provide valuable opportunities for sharing your feelings and relieving stress.

Seek accurate information from credible news sources. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, for example, have webpages dedicated to providing factual information on the novel coronavirus. You may also find useful information from local or state public health agencies such as the Maryland Department of Health.

Limit exposure to fear-based media by choosing 1-2 trusted news outlets that do not provide any new information and/or sensationalizes the facts. Pay attention to positive news instead of only focusing on negative and fear-producing reports.

Follow protection and prevention tips provided by qualified medical professionals, including from TU Health Center.

Practice calming rituals. Stay grounded in the present moment, which can help you maintain an internal sense of stability and balance when other parts of your life feel out of control.

Seek out and utilize on-campus resources. Reach out to friends and family, talk to an RA, a campus ministry, a professor, a staff member. Consider coming in to the Counseling Center to speak with a professional counselor if your distress does not seem to be lessening. We are here to help!

Stay Active with TUCC Online 

To help you navigate during this time, we are offering virtual resources on our social media accounts and website to help manage anxiety & distress and to promote self-care. Check back for updates on upcoming virtual programs. 

  • Mindful Mondays: Short videos teaching mindfulness skills and brief meditations to help manage anxiety in times of uncertainty will be posted every Monday at 1PM on our social media linked below.
  • Wellness Wednesdays: Short videos exploring a variety of self-care strategies such as remaining connected, managing distance learning, living at home, and more will be posted every Wednesday at 1PM on our social media linked below.
  • Substance use education goes virtual: Check out the ATOD Prevention Center Instagram for tips, info, and resources on coping skills and substance use, including videos, Q&A’s, and more. Want to win some prizes? Follow their social media campaigns for multiple chances to win t-shirts and other giveaways. 

Social Media Accounts

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS

Be Your Best Self: Skills for Coping, Feeling, and Relating* 

Be Your Best Self is a program developed from the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Week 1: Students learn skills of mindfulness and for coping with stress

Week 2: Understanding and managing emotions

Week 3: Focuses on interpersonal effectiveness

Week 4: Tolerating Distress  

Mondays: April 13th, 20th, 27th, and May 4th @ 3pm with Jackie. Join Mondays via: https://towson.webex.com/meet/jpacella 

Thursdays: April 16th, 23rd, 30th, and May 7th @ 1pm with Stefan. Join Thursdays via: https://towson.webex.com/meet/sjadaszewski 

Mindfulness Meditation* 

Mindfulness Meditation introduces students to meditation, including relaxation, visualization practices for reducing stress, improving concentrating, and increasing self-acceptance.

Tuesdays: April 14th, 21st, 28th, and May 5th @ 1pm with Blake. Join Tuesdays via: https://towson.webex.com/meet/bbettis

Fridays: April 17th, 24th, May 1st and 8th @ 1pm with Ryan. Join Fridays via: https://towson.webex.com/meet/rnoel 

RIO: Recognition, Insight, & Openness*

RIO is a program developed from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Week 1: focuses on recognizing issues in a student’s life

Week 2: focuses on gaining insight into those issues

Week 3: focuses on increasing openness to change.

Participants can expect to improve their cognitive flexibility and clarify the change they want to make in their lives.

Thursdays: April 16th, 23rd, and 30th @ 11am with Brett. Join Thursdays via: https://towson.webex.com/meet/bkirkpatrick 

*THESE ARE 3-4-WEEK PROGRAMS. STUDENTS WILL GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM BY PARTICIPATING IN ALL SESSIONS, BUT YOU MAY DROP-IN TO ANY OF THEM.

Additional resources 

Virtual Resources 
Community Resources 
Crisis Resources 

If someones safety is at risk, or it someone might need emergency medical care, please DIAL 911. 

  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-TALK (8255) 
  • Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410-931-2214
  • Baltimore City Crisis Response: 410-433-5175

GRASSROOTS CRISIS INTERVENTION TELEPHONE HOTLINE

A telephone counseling service that uses volunteer and peer counselors, funded by Baltimore County. 

Phone: 410-531-6677

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE

A 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis.  

Phone: 800-273-TALK (8255)

TURNAROUND

A private nonprofit organization dedicated to serving victims of rape, child sexual assault, domestic violence, and adult survivors of child sexual abuse.  

Phone: 443-279-0379

VIOLENCE HOTLINE CENTER, INC.

The 24/7 service is free and they are able to connect you with local resources.  

Phone: 1-800-799-7233

If you use any of the above services, we urge you to call the Counseling Center 410-704-2512 the next time we are open so that we can follow-up with you and assist you further.

 

Mutual Trust, Respect and Civility

Fear and anxiety can lead to mistrust, bias, prejudice, and discrimination, which we are committed to proactively combating. In an effort to avoid stigmatizing and promote mutual trust and respect within our community, we urge you to practice the following:

  • Be mindful of your behavior, thoughts, beliefs, and or biases about others from another country
  • Avoid generalizing anyone who is sick as potentially having the coronavirus
  • Be cautious about the images that are shared. Make sure they do not reinforce stereotypes
  • Examine any irrational or rigid thoughts that can exist when there is uncertainty
  • Practice and seek health care if you believe you are sick
  • Listen and attend to each other with empathy, kindness, and compassion