Volume 1 | March 2020

Let's Talk About It  Dean College Counseling Services MaryAnn Silvestri, M. Ed, LMHC Director of Dean College Counseling Services

When Life Gives You Lemons...Take Care of Your Mental Health Covid-19 certainly feels like a bunch of lemons ! Having to leave college unexpectedly, even for a short time is disappointing and stressful! Taking care of your mental health is critical to helping you get through this difficult time. Here are some tips to get you started: Take a moment to reflect -Acknowledge your feelings, say them out loud or write them down - all of your feelings are valid! Practice healthy habits- Prioritize sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, avoid self-medicating with alcohol or drugs. Stay connected with campus friends- FaceTime during dinner, keep snapchat streaks, start group texts. Lean on each other for support! Delay your worry , play a game, read a book, watch a movie, try a virtual yoga class, listen to a funny podcast, blast your favorite song (your parents may not appreciate this!) Watch reliable news sources- Try not to become absorbed in the news coverage for long periods of time, find opportunities to disconnect. Stay engaged in your classes- Start a class blog or online study group, stay in touch with your professors and classmates, do extra research on class topics, keep up with your assignments and take pride in your work!

The Zen Zone Pocket Mindfulness Meditation Podcast Guided Meditations Quote of the Day

Relaxation at Your Finger Tips Mindfulness Apps provide a quick access to managing anxiety and worry. Here are a few that are popular with college students: Mindshift, strategies for managing anxiety Headspace , mindfulness and relaxation Breathe2Relax, breathing exercises to calm the stress response Breathe Bubble (1 minute or less!)

Respect and Inclusivity

Dean is committed to providing support to all students and promoting an inclusive, respectful campus culture. The College urges all members of the campus community to: Be mindful of behavior and speech. Avoid generalizations or assumptions about individuals. Examine personal thoughts not based in fact,and may exist when there is uncertainty. Practice compassion, empathy and kindness.

The uncertainty you are going through right now is also breeding wisdom and clarity. You just have to trust that everything will work out even if you don't know how yet.

Please e-mail  msilvestri@dean.edu or call 508-541-1602 with any counseling needs.

I f you have thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or strong urges to engage in other risky behaviors, call 911 or find the nearest emergency room.

Crisis Text Line Text CONNECT to 741741

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Trevor Foundation Support for LGBTQ