Many people are following news regarding the devastating events that took place in Charlottesville, VA,
over the weekend. As a student, we encourage you and/or your household family members to take
advantage of the supportive resources available from WellConnect, including counseling services, which are
available 24/7 via our toll‐free number: 866‐640‐4777. Supportive resources for managing stress, anxiety,
and grief are also available online at www.wellconnectbysrs.com.
We have also included some tips here that may be helpful during this difficult time:
Acknowledge your feelings—it’s normal to feel a range of emotions including anxiety, profound
sadness, grief, and anger. Bear in mind that your past experiences may also trigger old feelings and
memories. Allowing yourself to process these feelings is critical to the healing process.
Reach out—talk with someone you trust and who will be supportive. Seeking professional support
from a mental health counselor can also be very helpful. Remember that free and confidential
counseling services are available through WellConnect 24‐hour line: 1‐866‐640‐4777.
Take some time away from the news—continuously taking in news coverage can increase stress
levels. Try to find a balance between being informed and being overloaded. If you have a child,
you’ll want to be particularly sensitive to their exposure to the news and prepared to answer
questions they may have, as is age‐appropriate. There are many helpful articles online about talking
to children of different ages and helping them to process these events.
Look at the larger picture—terrible things do happen, and the world can feel like a frightening
place sometimes. But there are many people and organizations devoted to making it kinder and
safer. Try to keep this in mind as you also take in the news coverage.
Take steps to change the things you can—identifying the things that are within your power to
change and taking constructive action will allow you to feel both calmer and more empowered. This
might include anything from taking care of an item on your to‐do list to practicing good self‐care, or
becoming involved with a local charitable organization.
Avoid raising politically and emotionally charged topics in school—it’s natural to want to discuss
what’s going on with the people around us, but we don’t know what their life experiences have
been like or how they may feel. If conversation does arise and you’re feeling uncomfortable,
express that in a respectful way and walk away from the discussion.
While these tips are designed to be helpful, they cannot replace the value of speaking to a live professional.
We encourage you to reach out to WellConnect and take advantage of the free, confidential counseling
resources available to you, as well as your household and family members. Your wel lbeing is our priority.
FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, 24/7
866‐640‐4777
www.WellConnectBYSRS.com
Please see Mr. Warman for any questions or more information
