It\u2019s crunch time. Final projects are due. Exams are looming. The end of the semester, as always, brings a crescendo of pressure and anxiety.<\/p>\n
Except this isn\u2019t any typical semester. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting global shutdown have escalated stress levels in ways students have never before experienced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn’t just business as usual. We’re not just working from home. We\u2019re home from a pandemic trying to work<\/em>. It\u2019s a world-wide trauma reaction,\u201d says Christopher Drost, associate director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).<\/p>\n In a recent virtual meeting with University professors, Drost and Staff Psychologist and Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Programs Kristie De Jesus explained that Montclair State students, like college students across the country, are dealing with challenging shifts in routines and expectations regarding family, school and work \u2013 beyond the regular year-end pressures.<\/p>\n Many are facing logistical concerns with home life not being conducive to learning. Some\u00a0 students feel overwhelmed with new online learning platforms and expectations of self-directed learning. Some are experiencing screen\/technology fatigue while others are dealing with technology issues such as internet access.<\/p>\n Some are also tackling more dire circumstances such as food insecurity, economic instability, safety issues and, in numerous instances, they are dealing with the illness and\/or the death of family members.<\/p>\n Finally, as it is for the general public, social\/physical distancing is also exacerbating anxiety, depression and other mental health issues for students.<\/p>\n \u201cStudents are struggling with two differing messages from our society\/culture at large,\u201d says Drost. \u201cContinue your life<\/em> and fear for your life<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Professors note that when they hold synchronous classes, students want to stay on to talk. \u201cThey want to connect,\u201d says Emily J. Isaacs, executive director of the Office of Faculty Advancement. Isaacs added that graduate students \u2013 who tend to have no synchronous classes \u2013 were particularly lonely and are finding it a challenge to stay motivated.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is clear from talking to faculty is that the hardest teaching decisions<\/a> we’re facing is figuring out how to reasonably help our students who appear to be struggling with mental health challenges in the age of COVID,\u201d says Isaacs.<\/p>\n As the federal Centers for Disease Control encourages universities to ramp up counseling<\/a> for overwhelmed students, Montclair State has responded to the call.<\/p>\n De Jesus says that CAPS is now offering \u201cLet\u2019s TeleTalk,\u201d a more informal counseling session consisting of 5-10 minute phone calls. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to dial in and talk instead of setting up counseling.\u201d In addition, regular full-length counseling is available by Zoom or phone, and the Connections drop-in group offers another option for students to talk to other students with the support of psychologists.<\/p>\n CAPS offers a wide variety of resources\u00a0 from more traditional counseling to downloadable apps on the website at montclair.edu\/CAPS<\/a>. Here are just a few:<\/p>\n Mental Health Apps (downloadable from Apple and Google Play Store)<\/p>\n Beyond encouraging students to access these resources, De Jesus urges instructors to \u201ccreate a space for humanity\u201d in their virtual learning.<\/p>\n Drost notes that there is more opportunity for regression for younger people in a crisis such as this. \u201cIt\u2019s harder to do self care and to compartmentalize.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese reactions are normal,\u201d says Drost. \u201cIt\u2019s important not to judge them.\u201d<\/p>\n Adds De Jesus, \u201cThey are having a normal reaction to an abnormal experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Story by Staff Writer Mary Barr Mann<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n
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