Managing Your Mental Health During Challenging Times

October 25, 2023 / Get Well

The Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing (OEWW) recognizes that the current international crisis has significant local and very personal impact for many in the NOVA community. It can be very unsettling, so be intentional about noticing how you are doing and taking steps to increase your overall wellness and wellbeing.

At the very least, try some easily accessible mindfulness and meditation practices such as these from Headspace, and/or join one of NOVA’s Healing Circles. 

If you are looking for more support, consider accessing trusted mental health resources. NOVA’s Employee Wellness and Wellbeing partners are ready and available to help you. It is important that we take care of ourselves — and we don’t have to do it alone.

Take advantage of these often-underutilized employee wellness resources:  

  • EAP (Employee Assistance Program): All health plans offered to state employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs) available 24/7. 
  • TimelyCare: Access this helpful resource that is available to ALL NOVA employees. Get the care you need, from the providers you want. When you need support, TimelyCare’s diverse network of providers is there for you. You can work with the intake team to choose a provider who meets your needs, looks like you and can identify with your experience. This is your wellness journey. TimelyCare is here to support YOU anytime, anywhere.

Here are some additional suggestions to help you, and those you serve, manage stress, anxiety, grief or worry during this time:

The article “How to Protect Your Mental Health From Stressful News Cycles” offers the following tips to help you cope while remaining a present, informed global citizen.

  • Check in with your emotions.
  • Be selective with the news sources you follow.
  • Set specific time constraints on when (and for how long) you will read the news.
  • Talk to friends, family or a mental health professional.
  • Activate in a way that feels authentic to you.

Consider the following guidance on how to protect your mental health while keeping tabs on the Israel-Hamas war.

  • Put your family on a media diet.
  • Don’t keep kids in the dark.
  • Tune in to your (and your kids’) feelings.
  • Build up your stress-busting toolkit.
  • Tap into the goodness of life.
  • Understand that you are not alone.

Does this topic resonate with you? Would you like to learn more? The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence offers a highly rated 10-hour course hosted on Coursera: Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty and Stress is designed to help educators better manage their emotions and create supportive learning environments for students.

This is an emotional and challenging time for many, so we echo the sentiments of our Chief DEI Officer and VCCS Chancellor:

We offer empathy, compassion and solidarity and encourage all NOVA employees to take advantage of that extra support when you need it.

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer (CWO), employeewellbeing@nvcc.edu