via the Provost’s Newsletter
Students across the country and at Mason are reporting mental health concerns in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing changes to campus life. Faculty and staff are hearing from students who feel isolated and anxious, and from some who are experiencing significant challenges maintaining their emotional well-being. University Life has a number of different services available to support the health and well-being of students, including:
- Student Health Services offers both in-person and telehealth appointments to students.
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers virtual individual and group therapy. CAPS also provides virtual mental health workshops, a drop-in supportive space for students in quarantine or isolation, virtual academic success workshops, and individual academic coaching.
- The Mason Care Network provides full-time, professional Success Coaches for incoming students.
- Disability Services continues to support students with accommodations and offers virtual exam proctoring for students in quarantine or isolation.
University Life has also developed a number of creative options for student engagement, including:
- The Center for the Advancement of Well-Being offers students the opportunity to complete a Resilience Badge and to participate in BurnAlong, a virtual platform with on-demand health and well-being classes and videos.
- Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment + LGBTQ Resources continues to offer programs and services focused on advocacy and direct student support to strengthen equity and inclusion.
- Mason Recreation continues to offer access to recreation spaces, fitness classes – both in-person and online, sports organizations, and more.
- Student Involvement has launched its SI2Go truck events which have been highly successful in reaching students, sponsored drive-in movies, and trivia nights.
- Housing and Residence Life developed Virtual Learning Communities to create opportunities for students to connect, engage, and learn with a group of other students who share common interests, majors, and identities.
More information can be found about these opportunities and others by visiting University Life and in articles from the George published earlier this year:
Finally, we express gratitude to our colleagues in the Psychology Department who have prepared this excellent resource: “Mentally Coping During Covid”, a Mason Impact talk by Profs. Robyn Mehlenberg and Keith Renshaw. Be sure to download all the available health and well-being resources for students.