Current Event Stress Support

Current events and racial/social injustices can have an impact on our mental wellbeing. We welcome conversations in individual counseling and groups at SCS about what is happening in our communities and around the world. Let's Talk, which provides drop-in support, can also be a great resource where you can speak with a counselor of your choosing virtually or in-person.

We invite you to bring your full self to process and talk through whatever might be on your mind/heart. Our counselors at SCS are ready to support you through any reactions and needs that you may be experiencing.

Resources and Information about the Events in Ukraine 

GPS Alliance 

"The GPS Alliance and our campus partners are closely monitoring the evolving situation in Ukraine. We will update this site with additional information and resources as they are known."

International Students and Scholars

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has reached out to all students, scholars, faculty, and staff from Ukraine and Russia to provide campus resources and offer their support and assistance. Please share these resources with anyone in our University community from Ukraine or Russia, and encourage them to reach out to ISSS for further assistance.

University Travelers

The University is monitoring the situation on the ground and will provide guidance and resources as needed to any University travelers who are impacted by these events. At this time, there are no changes to any education abroad programs or other planned University travel. See the Traveler News and Announcements page for updates.

Impacts of Sanctions

The University is carefully monitoring sanctions enacted upon Russia and assessing possible impacts on the University community and research enterprise. These sanctions (as of Feb. 24) include export and re-export restrictions on Russia, an export/import ban for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, and finance and banking restrictions.

• International students and scholars who may be affected by banking restrictions should contact International Student and Scholar Services.
• Research and finance personnel dealing with existing or proposed collaborations in Russia or Ukraine should contact the Export Controls Office as soon as possible, and certainly before sending any commodities, software, or technologies to recipients located in these countries. See OVPR's overview of sanctions and updates on their International Research site.

 

Trial Community Support and Education (Office for Public Engagement)  

"On Monday, March 8, 2021, former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin is scheduled to stand trial for the death of George Floyd. The trial is expected to last several weeks and will have profound impacts across our communities. In anticipation, the University has several levels of planning underway.

The University has compiled the following resources for students, faculty, staff, and community partners leading up to, during, and after the trial. As a partner and member of our local communities, this page aims to provide information to connect to and build on our collective efforts. Because needs and opportunities frequently change, this page is intended to be a dynamic central resource, and we welcome additions via the form linked below."  - Office for Public Engagement

Student Mental Health Twin Cities Campus 

Additional mental health support resources and information about related events and learning opportunities for our entire UMN community

Let's Talk 

Let’s Talk is a program that provides informal virtual drop-in consultations for U of M students throughout the academic year. No appointment is necessary, so you can drop in virtually during the scheduled times. Let’s Talk is not a substitute for formal counseling and does not constitute mental health treatment, but counselors can listen to specific problems, provide support, help explore solutions and give information about other resources. 

Let's Talk is not designed to provide crisis support-if you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis please utilize one of these resources.

Affinity Groups (In Collaboration with our Campus Partners)

^{Student Counseling Services (SCS) offers a range of online educational workshops, affinity groups to connect and create community, the and therapy groups for increased support and moving toward healing or change around specific challenges. Students are able to learn new skills and strategies, connect with one another, and share difficulties and experiences in a safe, supportive online environment. Some workshops meet for the entire semester, and others for 3 or 6 weeks.} 

Student Counseling Services Webinar: "Caring for your Mental Health During Stressful Political Times" 

Would you like some time to intentionally explore and plan for what you need to feel supported, connected, grounded in this high stress time? Join the Director Vesna Hampel-Kozar and Diversity Liaison Counselor Nina Hernandez Beithon from SCS for a virtual webinar that will discuss what may be happening in mind, body, and spirit at this time, as we guide you through exercises and journal prompts intended to support your well being. 
 

• Full-Recorded Webinar "Caring for your Mental Health During Stressful Political Times"

• Transcript of  Webinar "Caring for your Mental Health During Stressful Political Times"