Counseling Resources

Please call 911 or 988 and see our crisis resource page if you are feeling unsafe, contemplating self harm or suicide!

 

Election Stress 

As we near the highly anticipated November 5th Election, a period marked by excitement and increased awareness of its impact on our daily lives, it is imperative to remember that self-care is crucial for managing stress during this time. To support our students, the Office of Personal Counseling & Wellness will be offering dedicated office hours (see below) for you to drop by and chat. We encourage you to take advantage of this resource!  

Here are some tips to help you manage stress associated with the pre-and post-election period.   

Unplug!! 

If following the news, watching the debates, or scrolling through social media is causing you stress, limiting your media consumption may be helpful. Establish limited times during the day when you consume the news, through either social media or a news outlet. Instead, take time to schedule a midday walk or participate in a phone-free workout.  

Practice non-judgment. 

Try not to judge your emotions or to judge others. Remember that we are all different and have different perspectives. Separate people (and their inherent value) from their viewpoints.  Don’t villainize those on the other side, if you don’t like to be villainized. Remember, there is more that we have in common than what separates us. Listen and try to understand others. If this becomes too difficult give yourself a break and walk away to breathe. 

Practice Mindfulness. 

Engage your senses to ground yourself in the here and now. Identifying ways to ground yourself and reduce anxieties can help build resilience in the face of larger stressors, such as the election. When you find yourself worrying over events you can’t control or predict, use mindfulness to bring your awareness back to the present. Maintain your routines around exercise, healthy eating, self-care, and studying.  Maintaining a routine can help you remain in balance in the presence of stress. 

Try these activities: Identify 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 tactile things you can feel, 2 things you can taste, and 1 thing you can smell to recenter your focus.  Alternatively, you could try going for a walk, finding a soothing space to relax, take a few minutes to write about how your feelings, and then direct your attention to something neutral, such as focusing on your breath.  

Stay connected.  

We all tend to isolate ourselves in overwhelming situations, but engaging with others and maintaining connections is so important to mental health.  Engage with supportive friends and allies. Talk about things that directly impact your life such as family, friends, hobbies, your favorite food, your favorite music, exercise, etc… 

Give Yourself Compassion and practice positive psychology. 

Be kind to yourself during stressful periods. Self-compassion — treating yourself with kindness and patience — can be 3-part process: 

• Be kind to yourself rather than criticizing. If you catch yourself judging yourself, also try to think about one positive or neutral thing. 

• Recognize that you’re not alone and others struggle with similar challenges. Talk to a friend or family member for support. You may learn they’re going through the same thing. 

• Ask yourself what you need to do to feel better. And then make a plan to do it. 

Lastly, we cannot overstate the importance of consistent self-care. The on-going practice of self-care is essential to your well-being, your academic performance, and surviving the stress of the election season. Taking small steps regularly can make a big difference. Eat, sleep, play. Don’t stop doing what refuels you, relaxes you, or makes you smile. 

Know when to seek help. 

If students have exhausted their resources or see that mental health concerns are impacting their day-to-day lives, that should be an indicator that they need to seek professional care.  CCRI Personal Counseling & Wellness Office will be offering open office hours during at the following times:  

Wednesday, November 6th 

Lincoln, Rm. 1311 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm.  

Providence Rm. 2227 9:00 am – 10:00 am, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm 

Thursday, November 7th 

Providence, Rm 2227   9:00 am – 11:30 am 

Lincoln Rm 1311   1:30 pm – 3:30 pm 

Warwick, Rm. 8208   9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm 

Friday, November 8th 

Warwick, Rm 8208    10:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm