Coping During COVID-19

We are living through unprecedented times, and college students are being uniquely impacted by our global pandemic.

In addition to the normal pressures and challenges of starting a new semester, or beginning your college career, you might also be experiencing a myriad of emotions related to COVID-19 and the resulting changes to your college experience – including anxiety, grief, disappointment, or isolation. The ongoing racial violence occurring across our nation is placing an additional emotional burden on many students, especially Black students and other students of color. 

The good news is there are many things you can do to support and maintain your mental health. Please refer to the information and resources below for self-care tips and online support.

And if you're struggling, help is available. Options for care are listed at the bottom of this page.

Self-care tips

• Start each day with intentionality – Ask yourself these three questions: What will help me to feel healthy today? What will help me to feel connected today? What will give me a sense of purpose today?
• Prioritize self-care – Try to get enough sleep, eat well, and get in some exercise.
• Connect with others – Find ways to stay socially connected while practicing physical distancing. 
• Experience nature – Enjoy Cornell's natural beauty. Research shows the time in nature supports good mental health. 
• Learn to meditate – Attend an online Let's Meditate session, or try another meditation resource listed below.
• Limit social media & news consumption – Too much can have a negative impact on your mental health.

"Life Hacks" resilience-based programming for Fall 2020

Cornell Health's Skorton Center for Health Initiatives has developed the following online training specifically for the Fall 2020 semester and the realities of living during the COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting economic downturn, and the renewed activism addressing the systemic racism embedded in American society.

• Life Hacks: College Edition – Designed for undergraduate students (takes approximately 60 minutes)

• Life Hacks: Graduate and Professional Students – Designed for graduate and professional students (takes approximately 45 minutes)

Both programs provide information on a variety of tools and resources to help you develop and/or reinforce strategies and habits to support you overall mental health and well-being during your time at Cornell. Access the courses here.

"Let's Meditate" online guided meditation

Let's Mediate is a free, guided, mindfulness meditation series offered every day, Monday through Friday. Sessions are 30 minutes, and are conducted by Zoom. See the Let's Meditate schedule here.

Self-care resources

Support from Cornell Health

24/7 phone consultation

Students can call us (607-255-5155, #2) any time, day or night, to speak with a licensed therapist from ProtoCall, our 24/7 support team of mental health professionals. ProtoCall therapists are experienced in providing support for common concerns experienced by college students, and can also refer you to other resources, when appropriate. (Consultation in different languages is available.)

CAPS services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is providing the telehealth services through secure Zoom platform: 

• Let's Talk drop-in consultation – available to students everywhere
• CAPS-led workshops – available to students everywhere 
• Individual counseling and group counseling – available to students in NY State

Learn more about our current CAPS services. If you're engaged in distance learning, refer to our Services for Students Outside Ithaca webpage. 

24/7 chat & text support 

You can also connect with someone now through one of these recommended hotlines or textlines, including options especially for BIPOC students and LGBTQ students.