Response to the Invasion of Ukraine
The Counseling Center staff would like to recognize the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Our hearts go out to the Ukrainian members of our UIC community, their families and loved ones, and all those who are in Ukraine during this period of needless violence. Our thoughts are also with the many Russians who stand opposed to this violence and all those who may be directly or indirectly impacted.
While we watch this violence unfold, we recognize the range of reactions it can bring up. It is normal to feel a mix of emotions including fear, anger, sadness, and powerlessness. You may have trouble sleeping or concentrating. For those who have experienced violence or war, it may bring up upsetting or frightening memories. We also acknowledge the fear that can come with living and learning in a major city during a time of global unrest and escalating conflict. We hope that you will be gentle with yourself and make space to prioritize your mental health at this time.
The Counseling Center has recently worked to expand our services that students can use on an as-needed basis with little to no wait time so that we can respond more rapidly to unpredictable events that can impact students’ mental health. One way we’re doing this is by expanding our weekly virtual drop-in spaces that students can register for online and use on an as-needed basis. Some spaces that may be especially relevant right now include:
- Open drop-in spaces on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:00pm CT
- Grief & Loss Space on Wednesdays at 1:00pm CT
- International, Undocumented, & Immigrant Student Space on Tuesdays at 4:00pm CT
If you aren’t sure where to begin or would like to learn more about the range of other services we offer, you can call us at (312) 996-3490 or check out our Getting Started page for more information.
We also encourage faculty, staff, and administration to join us in recognizing the impact that this situation may have on students’ mental health and explore ways to provide grace and support to those students who may be struggling right now. Faculty and staff who are interested in learning more about how they can support students’ mental health are encouraged to attend one of our upcoming “Helping Students” workshops designed for UIC faculty and staff.