Elon Counseling Services will continue to provide care to students in need as many members of the community are away from campus.
As Elon navigates the current online learning model to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the university will continue to provide counseling to students in need.
Counseling Services has staff members dedicated to offering services remotely while many students, faculty and staff are away from campus. During Elon’s altered schedule, the office will assist the campus community through a variety of services, depending on the needs of each individual.
Regardless of location, students with urgent mental health needs can contact the Crisis Counselor On Call, 24/7, by calling Campus Safety and Police at 336-278-5555. There are also several referral programs for students in search of other counseling services:
- Psychology Today offers referral options in your area
- The Elon Counseling Services Referral Service offers referrals within a one-hour radius of campus
- iHopeNetwork offers referrals to telehealth options
Counseling Services also offers access to Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), an online resource that can be used to provide psycho-educational and skill-based learning around anxiety, mindfulness and other mental health topics. Elon students have 24/7 access to TAO using an Elon email address.
Director of Counseling Services Marie Shaw has also offered a variety of tips to help students, faculty and staff cope with constant changes in news related to COVID-19 and disruptions of normal routines.
Shaw recommends finding ways to create a sense of normalcy and new routines as a number of students, faculty and staff begin working from home.
“First, taking it back to the basics,” Shaw said. “Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating? What do you normally do in a day that you can continue to do that are those positive things for your self care?”
Shaw says exercising and practicing mindfulness are good ways to take a pause and clear your mind during the confusion. She also says to limit the amount of time spent reading and talking about COVID-19 to prevent the spread of fear surrounding the topic. Most importantly, Shaw says to pay close attention to your personal needs during this period of outbreak and social distancing.
“Everyone really does handle the stress of this differently and so it’s important to really think of ‘what might I be needing,'” Shaw said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled a list of additional tips for managing anxiety and stress during the outbreak. Click here to learn more.
For up-to-date information about Elon’s response to the spread of COVID-19, visit the university’s dedicated coronavirus website at elon.edu/coronavirus.