The COVID-19 pandemic has affected various aspects of our lives, be it personal, professional or social. It has a significant impact on our mental health due to an increase in stress, feelings of anxiousness, loneliness, experiencing grief, and various other unpleasant or overwhelming emotions. The emotional and mental distress can get amplified when a person tests positive for covid-19 and has to remain in isolation for a considerable amount of time. Recognizing the risks to mental health and need support during this period, a dedicated COVID-19 Taskforce has been constituted at SCEW. The members of the taskforce reach out to any student, staff, or faculty member of SIU who tests positive for covid-19 to assess their emotional wellness and screen them for any risk factors. Relevant interventions or self-help resources are also provided to the person, to empower them in ensuring their mental wellbeing, and they are encouraged to reach out for counseling and therapy if more intensive support is required.
A resource bank has also been curated that provides useful information and links for ensuring mental wellness in the context of the pandemic. You can download the resource bank here.