Help-Center Resources during Difficult Times

CAPS is available to help and offers various support services to the UCSD campus community during times of crisis. Upsetting events in our community, country, and world can significantly impact our well-being. CAPS is available to respond as requested on an individual basis or as a collective to assist in providing support, education, and consultation. During times of crisis or tragedy, it can be difficult to make sense of why the events took place, and one may experience a range of reactions and feelings. These feelings are ALL NORMAL REACTIONS TO NON-NORMAL EVENTS. Reactions may include:

Shock / Numbness / Denial / Vivid dreams or flashbacks / Sadness / Anger / Fear / Difficult concentrating or focusing / Sad / Hopeless / Anxious / Difficulty communicating or reaching out to others

Although reactions to tragic events can be difficult to deal with, CAPS is here to assist you with working through the challenges of coping and processing the difficulty. At CAPS, we provide the following services to students and the campus community who may be experiencing difficulties in response to a crisis or tragic event:

For students or faculty/staff in immediate need of assistance, please call (858) 534-3755 to speak with an on-call counselor. If immediate assistance is needed after business hours, please call (858) 534-3755 (select Option 2) and ask to speak with the on-call counselor. Below are additional resources for our campus community.

Resources

Additional Resources

CAPS Services

Crisis or Urgent Care: Call (858) 534-3755, or visit our Crisis page. for more information.
After-Hours Crisis Counseling: Call 858-534-3755 (Select Option 2) talk to a counselor, even outside business hours and on holidays.
Grief & Loss: handout to provide information on grief, loss, and what you can do for yourself and your friends.
CAPS Video Visits

UCSD Campus Resources, Services, and Information

Chancellor Khosla's Blog: up-to-date information on UC San Diego's response to campus and community events
TritonLink: up-to-date information
Office of Graduate Studies: for graduate students dealing with the disaster
International Center: support services for international students
Study Abroad Office: support services for UCSD students studying abroad
Education Abroad Program (EAP): support services for UCSD students in the EAP program
Financial Aid: financial resources
Colleges: college-specific information
Faculty/Staff Assistance Program (FSAP): counseling for UCSD faculty, staff, and scholars
UCSD Blink: Additional information for UCSD Faculty and Staff

American Psychological Association Help Resources

San Diego County Resources

San Diego County Emergency Site: Latest updates for all of San Diego County
San Diego Police Department: News from the SDPD and latest emergencies
San Diego Fire Department: San Diego Fire Department updates

Additional Resources for Students, Faculty, and Staff

Red Cross: Assistance with Red Cross
Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for recovering from disasters and other traumatic events
Road to Resilience: Working-through difficult events
APA Help Center: Help-center for the American Psychological Association

Grief and Loss

Loss may involve the death of a loved one or friend, the end of a special relationship, or losing an opportunity. Grief is a natural process following a loss. Research shows that there is no “right” way to grieve, and there are many differing responses, both emotional and physical, that can occur. Please see the various CAPS services and resources below, including helpful handouts and support forums.

CAPS Services:

Groups, Workshops, and Community Forums:

Resources & Handouts:

Healing in our Community

Our Community

CAPS is here to support students and the campus community in dealing with the ongoing racial challenges in our country. CAPS is open and available to provide assistance to students during this difficult time. To talk with a counselor 24/7, please call us at (858) 534-3755.

Resources

International Community Members

Health/Wellness/Academic Support

International Students
- Health & Wellness
  - There are professional counselors at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). They are available to help students in crisis or who are feeling stress. All services are confidential.
    (858) 534-3755 | http://caps.ucsd.edu
  - For students residing internationally or outside California, CAPS also offers non-clinical resources for you.
- Academic Support:
  - Contact your professor and let them know about your situation. They may be able to provide some accommodation for you.
- Additional Support:
  - Undergraduate Students: Dean of Academic Advising in your College and/or Undergraduate Department Advisor via Virtual Advising Center
  - Graduate Students: Graduate Program Coordinator via the Virtual Advising Center.
- Student Affairs
International Researchers/Faculty
- There are professional counselors at Faculty & Staff Assistance Program. They are available to help international faculty/scholars on the campus side and all postdocs and visiting scholars in the institution, and all their services are confidential. (858-534-5523)
- Health Sciences faculty and staff can access services via LiveandWorkWell, the Employee Assistance Program administered by Optum (866-808-6205).
Extension International Students
- Health & Wellness
  - Extension International Students may access off-campus counseling services through their Anthem medical insurance plan. For assistance, students should contact our IP Health and Welfare team at iphealth@ucsd.edu
- Academic Support
  - English Language Institute students should contact their academic advisor at eliadvisor@ucsd.edu.
  - Certificate and University and Professional Studies students should contact their academic advisors at ups@ucsd.edu.

Advising & Services

International Students: International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO)
International Researchers/Faculty and Post-Docs: International Faculty and Scholars Office (IFSO)
Extension International Students: Extension International Programs

Basic Needs/Financial Aid

Resources during Challenging Times

This year has brought challenges that we might not have ever imagined. We have come together to help keep each other safe and to provide support during times of loss and stress. As we work through the academic year, it is important that we continue to take care of ourselves. Self-care helps us to be stronger when the time comes for activism or caring for others. Please see our list of resources below for suggestions for how to cope during challenging times.

HANDOUTS

RECORDED WEBINARS AND RESOURCES

For Students: "Coping During Unprecedented Times"
In this webinar, Dr. Cat Thompson and Dr. Tiffany O'Meara discuss the stressors that we are experiencing within our current social context. They address election stress, the impact of microaggressions, and share strategies for self-care during difficult times.
For Staff and Faculty: "Supporting Students During Unprecedented Times"
Dr. Cat Thompson and Dr. Tiffany O'Meara discuss the stressors that we are experiencing within our current social context. They address the impact of election stress, and racism on student mental health. Suggestions are made for how to support students during these challenging times.
For ALL: "Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race Based Stress"
Dr. Kristina Mendez, Ph.D., RYT-500 guides us through a 50-minute restorative yoga class to find some moments of peace from ethnic and race-based stressors. Dr. Mendez emphasizes grounding techniques, including connecting to the Earth and to our ancestry to help us remember our deeply rooted support systems. This class is modified to reduce the amount of materials needed; however, it is recommended you have a soft surface to practice on (i.e. yoga mat or carpet) and 1-2 blankets or towels for extra padding.
Get Up Tritons/Tritons Flourish "Learn@Lunch" Series: The videos below share strategies to help decrease stress and anxiety, and increase well-being:

UPCOMING PROGRAMMING!

CAPS Community Forums: Please join us at any of our CAPS Community Forums to process thoughts and feelings about the election, other socio-political stressors, or any issues that are impacting you at this time.

RISE Workshops: Educational and skill-building online Zoom workshops for students to learn new coping strategies or build upon tools they already have. Learning these skills helps students to improve stress management and emotion regulation, build tools for resilience, and learn strategies for well-being.

CAMPUS EVENTS

Info coming soon

ARTICLES AND OTHER RESOURCES

About Election Stress

Tips for Coping with Election Stress

Already Got Election Anxiety? Here are 4 Ways to Grapple (Psychology Today)
Stressed About the Election? 5 Tips to Get You Through (Cleveland Clinic)
How to Handle the Stress Between Now and Election Day (Healthline)
Most Americans are experiencing 'significant' election stress. Here's how to cope (Today)
How to Cope with Election Stress (Video)
Coping with Election Stress (Video)

Dealing with Racism and Microaggressions

Understanding Racial Trauma (Video)
Microaggressions and Racial Battle Fatigue
How to Cope with Race Based Trauma
Self-Care Tool Kit - ABPsi (Association for Black Psychologists)
The Four Bodies: A Holistic Tool Kit for Coping with Racial Trauma

Suicide Awareness

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently published findings that suicide rates have risen significantly over the past 20 years. If you or a friend at UCSD are experiencing suicidal thoughts, we want you to know that CAPS is here for you. If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, please contact us at (858) 534-3755. We are available for walk-in services, phone and video triage appointments, and consultations. This HelpCenter page also provides numerous campus, community, and online resources.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Resources

24-Hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 if you or someone you care about is experiencing suicidal thoughts.
National Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
American Psychological Association (APA) webpage on suicide awareness
Suicide Warning Signs
Grief and Loss
The Road to Resilience