We recognize that recent rapid changes and new demands on faculty members can create emotional as well as practical and physical challenges. Here are some resources available to all UMD faculty members (TTK and PTK) for finding emotional support during these difficult times:
- Faculty Staff Assistance Program: Faculty members can schedule appointments by calling Tom Ruggieri at 301-314-8170 or Joan Bellsey at 301-314-8099. Alternatively, faculty members can email either Tom (ruggieri@umd.edu) or Joanne (jbellsey@umd.edu).
- If your students are in distress, you can refer them to the UMD counseling center, which is currently offering phone and teletherapy sessions.
- Faculty Ombuds: Ellin Scholnick is currently available by email; please contact her for an appointment: escholni@umd.edu.
- The Campus Pantry will be open on the ground floor of the University Health Center on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am-3pm.
- Office of Faculty Affairs: For other faculty issues around mentoring, development, and work-life balance, email Laura Rosenthal at lrosent1@umd.edu to set up an appointment by phone or Zoom. PTK faculty members may want to contact Heidi Bulich hbulich@umd.edu.
External Resources
Meditation
The University Health Center will be hosting three live-stream meditations each week, starting March 24. The schedule is:
- Tuesdays from 10:30am-11:30am
- Thursdays from 10:30am-11:30am
- Fridays from 4pm-5pm
These meditations will be hosted on Zoom. [link forthcoming] The University Health Center also offers recorded meditation podcasts.
Fitness:
Exercise is crucial to wellness, but challenging during the current circumstances. RecWell is currently closed, but watch this site for any updates.
Other Fitness Options:
If you belong to a gym, check to see if they are offering online programming as many are doing this.
Here is a list of sites with links to online yoga. Most of them are free:
- https://www.sbnation.com/2020/3/19/21185741/free-online-workout-classes-to-stream-youtube-app-yoga-total-body-exercise-hiit
- https://greatist.com/move/free-yoga-videos#less-than-30-minutes
- https://www.verywellfit.com/best-online-yoga-classes-3567242
- https://www.thecut.com/2016/01/best-free-yoga-classes-online.html
Parks
Other
- Brush up your Shakespeare
- Visit Broadway!
- Digital Theatre
- The Paris Opera is streaming productions for free, as is the Royal Opera House in London and the Met in New York.
- UMD Sustainable Distancing Toolkit
Volunteer Opportunities
Expert Advice
You will be encountering a lot of wellness advice. Here are some recommendations from reputable sources.
American Psychology Association Recommendations
- Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe
With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing every day, psychologists offer insights on how to separate yourself from others, while still getting the social support you need. - Five Ways to View Coverage of the Coronavirus
Tips to help you manage anxiety, put news reports in perspective and maintain a positive outlook. - Speaking of Psychology: Coronavirus Anxiety
In this podcast episode, psychologist Baruch Fischhoff, PhD, explains why we worry about new risks more than familiar ones, how to calm our anxiety and what are the psychological effects of being quarantined. - Coronavirus threat escalates fears — and bigotry
Psychologists look to their research to help quell anxiety about a possible pandemic.
World Health Organization
- Briefing note on addressing mental health and psychosocial aspects of COVID-19 Outbreak
This resource provides summaries of key mental health and psychosocial support considerations in relation to the coronavirus outbreak.
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
- The National Child and Traumatic Stress Network: Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF ,144KB)
This resource provides information for parents and caregivers about outbreaks, how they can prepare to reduce stress and anxiety, how it may affect your family both physically and emotionally and ways to cope. - National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
A resource for parents on how best to talk to children about the coronavirus. - New York Times: Talking to Teens and Tweens about Coronavirus
This article details advice from experts on how parents can help teens be prepared and have the right information about the coronavirus. - NPR: Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
A resource for children about coronavirus, what it is and how to protect oneself. - SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services): Talking with Caregivers, Parents. And Teachers during Infectious Disease Outbreaks (PDF, 12.8MB)
Resource provides helpful information on how to talk with children of different age groups. - GeroCentral: https://gerocentral.org/clinical-toolbox/covid-19-resources/
A compilation of resources developed by the Geropsychology community for clinicians, older adults, and families. - UMD School of Public Health: Resources for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic.