Coping With COVID-19: Mental Health Resources
The COVID-19 outbreak had and continues to have a lasting impact on the emotional and mental health of the UMD community, impacting us even if we haven't directly encountered the virus. Disrupting daily routines and various aspects of life, such as academics and personal activities, it has affected different groups disparately. While some have found solace in adaptations like remote learning, others grapple with mental health challenges and grief.
We have created this page as a resource to support graduate students. It includes:
- Mental and Emotional Wellness Tips
- Connecting to Resources on Campus
- Connecting with Social Support
- Taking Care of Yourself
- Resources for Parents
- On-Campus Resources
- Counseling Services through the Counseling Center
- The Health Center
- Behavioral Health Service
- Live Stream Meditation Sessions
- Faculty Staff Assistance Program
- Off Campus Mental Health Resources
- Telecounseling
- Non-therapy Mental Health Resources
- Mental Health Apps
**As always, if you experience a mental health emergency, please call 911.**
Please keep the following mental and emotional wellness tips from Graduate Academic Counselor Simone Warrick-Bell in mind:
- Connect with resources on campus
- There are a wide variety of resources available on campus that are designated to support students. Graduate Students are eligible to receive counseling via the Counseling Center and Behavioral Health Service. Graduate Students who have an assistantship can also receive counseling via the Faculty Staff Assistance Program.
- Students who belong to marginalized groups may have experienced a “double pandemic” which included a drastic increase of the number of violent crimes committed as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Spaces to support marginalized student communities have been developed and can be accessed via the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, The LGBT Equity Center, International Student & Scholar Services and Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy (MICA).
- Connect with social support
- Family, friends and members of your cohort are a potential source of support. Students who are new to the UMD community and DMV area might feel isolated during the initial transition to UMD however; they are great ways to connect with other graduate students. Students can meet other graduate students by attending events designed for graduate students which are held in several offices including Graduate Student Life, Graduate Student Government, International Student & School Services, Graduate Student Legal Aid and the Graduate School via the Graduate Student Circles.
- Take care of yourself
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some activities you enjoy such as listening to music, watching movies, streaming television shows or going for a walk
For Graduate Students who are parents, the campus has compiled a list of resources that are available to support graduate student parents. New Resources can be accessed here.
Please consider using the following resources for supporting your mental health during this time. And as always, if you experience a mental health emergency, please call 911.
On-Campus Mental Health Resources:
Counseling Services offers individual and group counseling services. More information about services can be found here.
- To schedule an intake appointment, please call 301-314-7651
- After Hours Crisis Support Phone Services are available 24/7 at 301-314-7651
The Health Center
Behavioral Health Services will be providing individual, group and medication management appointments. Services will be offered both virtually and in-person. Information related to services can be accessed here.
Access the Health Center's live-stream meditations. The times are updated on the website and change each semester.
The FSAP are offering both in-person and virtual appointments. Graduate Students who have an assistantship are eligible for services via FSAP. Information related to services can be accessed here.
Off Campus Mental Health Resources:
Telecounseling is available via insurance. Contact the Graduate Academic Counselor, Simone Warrick-Bell, and she can help you find a provider who offers telecounseling and would be in-network with your insurance.
The following online resource provides more tips to cope with life stressors and do your best to maintain your mental and emotional health.
Numerous mental health apps exist to support and encourage positive mental health practices. Many of these are free, or at a low cost, and are available for download on your device.