Dear graduate students,

We’re at the halfway point for this very unusual semester. The typical stress from managing your academic efforts is now further complicated by a world pervasive with challenge, change and conflict.

Feeling overwhelmed?  The University Counseling Center offers many resources to help you develop healthy coping skills through individual appointments, group therapy, and workshops.

One group therapy option is the Graduate & Professional Process Group, which meets Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.  Led by licensed psychologist Ciera Scott, the group addresses concerns like navigating graduate programs and demands, interpersonal relationship difficulties, transitioning from graduate school to the work environment, individuation, identity concerns, and work/life balance.  Contact Ciera Scott if you are interested in participating in this group.

Other groups of interest to graduate students include Continuum: LGBTQI+ Support Group, DBT Group: Building Your Best Life, Rooted in Resilience and Women’s Group.  For details on these groups, meeting times and contact information, visit Group Therapy on the UCC website.

Workshops can help you build connections and support each other as you develop healthy coping skills.  This semester, the UCC is offering workshops on the topics of self-compassion and managing grief during a pandemic in addition to many others. Learn more and register for these workshops on the UCC website. The UCC also facilitates the ongoing Peak Performance Workshop Series in conjunction with the Graduate Life Coach.

Those in need of assistance can find many options available through the Student Care Network and its primary offices: Office of Student Care Coordination, Center for Student Wellbeing, the University Counseling Center, and Student Health Center.  Start with the Student Care Coordination Intake Form to have a Student Care Coordinator walk you through resources that will best meet your needs. Not quite ready to take that step?  Visit the SCN Resources page to explore resources by category.

If you experience a mental health crisis or emergency visit the UCC website, click on “For An Immediate Crisis Click Here” and access the appropriate resources to support your urgent need.

These tough times can be difficult to navigate. Stay on top of your health, both mentally and physically, by taking advantage of the available resources. Making your health a priority creates a foundation on which to build your academic success.

Be well,
Bunmi

Bunmi Olatunji
Interim Dean of the Graduate School

Need assistance?  Send us an email if you need support or would like guidance on identifying available university resources.

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^{Stay informed:  visit the Return to Campus website, FAQ page for graduate students,  Research@Vanderbilt and the COVID-19 Dashboard for current updates on the Vanderbilt community. Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19—learn more at Anchor Down, Step Up.}