Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage of COVID-19. Find balance between staying informed, while not overwhelming yourself. Check in with yourself as you in news articles, social articles, social media posts, etc. and give yourself permission to take a break if you find that you are feeling overwhelmed.
Maintain a sense of hope and know that as a community we can come together to support one another through this challenging time.
Connect with others. Given recommendations regarding social distancing (e.g., remaining out of places where people meet or gather, avoiding local public transportation (e.g., bus, subway, taxi, rideshare), and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others), think about other creative ways of connecting with others — an old fashioned phone call, texting, video chat, direct messaging, etc. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member.
Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do some other activities you enjoy to return to your normal life.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis that does not need immediate attention, call (309) 677-3200.
If you have a mental health crisis or an emergency that requires immediate mental attention, please call the campus police at (309) 677-2000.
