After a year and a half of living in a global pandemic, NCC students return to campus adjusting to a new normal. Returning to campus comes challenges with mental health. With many changes that happened this summer, students came back with uncertainty about what this year will look like.
Dyson Wellness Center
Tatiana Sifri, director of the Dyson Wellness Center (DWC), says adapting to a new “normal” will be something everyone will still be trying to figure out in the coming weeks. Sifri says that it’s a scary time for students and staff because of the unknown aspect. But taking care of their mental health can be beneficial to the concerns of our environment and sense of security.
“This new normal is something everyone is still trying to figure out. It can be scary for humans when things are unknown because putting things in categories and planning for them makes people feel safer. In trying to understand our environment and that sense of control and safety,” said Sifri.
She notes that a good time to visit the DWC is when something feels off, and especially if a student feels unsafe. Adding that all students are welcome, even if they feel that they don’t need help. This is especially true since anxiety and depression are some common mental health concerns people have.
TimelyCare for students
Emphasizing that students should consider knowing all available resources on campus. TimelyCare is a beneficial 24/7 telehealth service for students. This comes as there is an increase in use of DWC as well as TimelyCare from last year.
Along with TimelyCare, DWC’s website has additional resources for students.
Professor’s advice
Students aren’t the only ones who have been feeling the stress of returning to campus. Suzanne Chod, professor of political science acknowledges how stressful it is to teach with a mask on, and how nervous it can be having small children at home and worrying about them getting sick.
“Take a minute and acknowledge how hard it’s been. A good pity party helps. But not sitting in it. We are all going through something, whatever fear and anxiety we all have it in different ways. We are in this together.” said Chod.
