Dear Students,
 
During this very challenging time, you may be experiencing fear, anxiety, or uncertainty. Those are all normal emotions to feel at the beginning of any new academic year or transition. For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic and the heightened racialized violence that our society has been experiencing have exacerbated these difficulties. This may be especially true if you are physically separated from your friends and others who support you—or if the technology available to you has not allowed you to connect as effectively as needed.
 
Sometimes people can begin to feel stuck in these emotions or avoid acknowledgement of these reactions. It is important to find ways to understand your emotional responses and find ways to cope with the uncertainty we are facing.
 
If you’re experiencing a level of distress that is difficult for you to manage, please reach out to the professionals at Loyola’s Counseling Center, who are prepared to accompany you during this time. We created this video to greet you more personally. Together, we will figure out the best way to support you and what might be most useful to you. 
 
New Option for Students
In addition to our full array of clinical services, workshops, groups, and daytime and after-hours emergency services, we are now providing students with free access to a 24/7 online peer-to-peer mental health community, Togetherall. You can learn more about Togetherall here.
 
Additional Support

If you prefer to reach out to other areas for support, professionals across the University are also ready to support you, including the teams in these offices:

• Campus Ministry
• Student Health Services
• The Women’s Center
• ALANA Services
• Student Support and Wellness Promotion (or reach out directly to Mary Beth Mudric)
• Academic Advising and Support Center

The challenges our society and our community are facing this fall are affecting the physical and mental health of many people, and it’s important to be aware of how you are responding at this time. Please feel free to reach out at any time if my colleagues and I in the Counseling Center can assist you in any way. You can reach us through the Counseling Center website.
 
We are here to help you succeed.
 
Sincerely,
Jason Parcover, Ph.D.
Director
The Counseling Center