Taking Care of Ourselves

During Times of Crisis

After witnessing, experiencing, or watching violent or threatening events, many people may experience a heightened sense of vulnerability, fear, sadness, numbness, shock and grief.  When we experience these feelings together, as a total community, we have the opportunity to help each other out and create communities of caring and support.  Please take care of yourself and your friends while maintaining connections with broader campus communities.

Actively Find Ways Not to Be Alone:  Spending time with family, friends, or social groups who are willing/able to listen to your fear or to share their fear reactions with you can be extremely helpful.  Even if you do not feel like talking, being with others who are experiencing the same feelings and talking about them can be comforting.

Participate in Campus Counseling Support Services:  Many support services are available to provide you with a safe space to share concerns, worries, fears, and/or grief with a professional counselor.  Individual counseling is provided by appointment, and walk-in crisis support is offered here at the Counseling Center.  This support is a valuable opportunity to share feelings and thoughts that have been precipitated by events such as terrorists acts.

Pay Attention to Specific Needs Around Race or Ethnicity Concerns:  This event may result in a heightened sense of awareness of your racial/ethnic identities.  Talking over your concerns with a counselor or with others who are similar to you, and possibly others who are different than you, in a safe, comfortable environment, may be helpful.

Turn to Your Spiritual and Religious Faiths:  If you belong to a spiritual or religious community, gathering together for worship, prayer, discussion, a meal or other forms of religious or spiritual expression, can strengthen the bonds of human connections and be a force of healing in your life and the lives of others around you.

Look for Ways to Be Involved:  Actively participate in campus and community activities and actions, such as discussions and services to offer hope and actions that help others.

Control Your Exposure to the Media:  Repeatedly watching or reading about traumatic or frightening events may intensify your own reactions unnecessarily.  Remember that you need not be alone during this time of uncertainty.  There ARE caring and supportive people, services, and communities available to provide help.

Please contact the Counseling Center at (212) 217-4260 if you want to talk with a counselor to help increase your strategies of managing through this difficult time.