Patriots:
We hope you are doing well and settling into your Spring semester.
This is a point in the semester when you may start feeling more academic pressure and have other stressors or worries weighing on you. Everyone feels sad or anxious at times, and sometimes these feelings can be hard to manage. We are writing today to make sure you know that you are not alone – that your community and George Mason University are here for you.
Your own community
It can be difficult to reach out for help when you feel down or lonely. However, social connection is vital to our health and well-being. There are many ways you can connect with other people:
- Reach out to supportive friends and families. You don’t have to have a long conversation: you can start with a short text message.
- Find your communities and engage with them. This may be a faith community or a group on campus. There are online communities and forums available where you can find connection and support (including Mason360, which is available to all students).
- Say hello. We sometimes underestimate the power of short social interactions but studies have shown that even brief conversations can positively affect our mood.
- Talk to a faculty or staff member. They can help you connect with any support you need.
- Try counseling or therapy. This is a powerful option – both for relieving loneliness and getting support.
Your Mason resources
Again – you are not alone. You are in a community with people who want to connect with you and want to help you.
Some resources that you might find useful include:
Patriots Thriving Together – Your guide to thriving at Mason
Mason Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) – 703-993-2380
Student Support and Advocacy Center – SSAC Support Request
Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor
TimelyCare – Confidential virtual health and well-being for Mason students
We wish you the best this semester and hope you remember that you are not alone. Take good care of yourselves and each other, and do not hesitate to reach out when you need help.
Sincerely,
Gregory Washington
President
Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life