How can faculty support the socio-emotional needs of students returning to in-person classes?
It’s important to view the trauma that our students are going through. The first step to addressing trauma is recognizing the existence of trauma. 20% of people in the US have lost a family member or close friend to COVID, and even greater losses are found in diverse communities. 80% of CSUN students report moderate to severe anxiety since the onset of the pandemic. So, we can expect to see varying degrees of trauma in our students returning this spring. Below are tips for faculty to support our students, many of whom have impacted by the pandemic.
- Begin the semester with introductions in classes to facilitate connection and belongingness among students.
- Assure your concern for student safety by reviewing safety expectations for in-person classes-wear a mask at all times.
- Request student feedback and suggestions for creating a safe and supportive learning environment in your class.
- Promote and model self-care.
Check in with students at the beginning of class about how they are doing and ask how they are taking care of themselves. Express understanding that crises like the pandemic can have a negative impact on them both personally and academically. Students are coming back with varying degrees of emotional impact from the pandemic and other social stressors, and will appreciate this expression of compassion and caring.
- Share well-being campus resources with the entire class and in the syllabus -Institute of Health and Wellbeing https://www.csun.edu/wellbeing -University Counseling Services https://www.csun.edu/counseling, Self-Care for You at Northridge https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care,CSUN with a Heart for food and housing needs https://www.csun.edu/heart
- Take stretch breaks with in-person classes or on zoom for hybrid classes.
- Besides a regular class break, if scheduled, let students know that they may excuse themselves if they need a break during class. Tell students to notify you if a student needs to be absent for an entire class, but be respectful of their privacy. Let students know that they will be responsible for acquiring and completing missed material from classmates or the instructor.
- Provide flexibility yet also clear expectations regarding how to request extensions and flexibility with course requirements, and talk about this with students at the beginning of the semester. Also put this in your syllabus.
- CSUN Student Disability Resources and Educational Services is available for students who want to request academic accommodations. https://www.csun.edu/dres
- Provide a list of CSUN academic resources to all students, and especially to support students who are struggling. https://www.csun.edu/current-students/resources-services
How to support a student exhibiting emotional distress during an in-person class?
- Understand the emotional complexity and social nature of learning. When students are faced with an emotional crisis, like the pandemic, their ability to learn and perform is diminished. Anti-Black racism and other forms of racism further adds to student stress.
- Watch for signs of crisis indicators such as verbalizing anxiety or depression, crying and irritability, looking fatigued or acting withdrawn, and sharing personal struggles. Share that these feelings are normal when impacted by a crisis like a pandemic.
- Support and validate students when they are expressing their own experience and difficult emotions; listen and express support even if you may not understand or agree.
- Provide CSUN well-being and socio-emotional support referrals: University Counseling Services https://www.csun.edu/counseling, Strength United https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/strength-united, Mitchell Family Counseling Clinic https://www.csun.edu/teaching-learning-counseling-consortium/mitchell-family-counseling-clinic
- If a student becomes agitated or escalated in the classroom, deescalate by remaining calm and supportive. Validate feelings, but set limits related to returning to class activities, and making yourself available after class.
- If student escalation continues, invite the agitated student to take a few minutes outside of the classroom to calm themselves.
- If the situation does not deescalate in class, and it is disruptive to the class environment, calmly end class early in a supportive manner. Contact University Counseling Services for immediate help and guidance https://www.csun.edu/counseling/urgent-care
- University Counseling Services Crisis Line – 818-677-2366, select option 1, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After hours and through the weekend, 818-677-2366, select option 3.
Tips for Providing Socio-emotional Support for Faculty and Staff
How can faculty and staff take care of themselves when impacted by the pandemic?
- Understand the emotional complexity and social nature of our ability as faculty and staff to perform, which can be diminished in this pandemic crisis. Anti-Black racism and other forms of racism further adds to stress levels. Be kind and patient with yourself.
- Be aware of indicators that may be adversely affecting you: feelings of anxiety, fatigued, or fear about safety, more physical aches and pains, not sleeping well, feeling withdrawn.
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms. Reengage yourself socially with people by having lunch together, joining an affinity group, enjoying time together at the end of the day, etc. Exercise regularly. Be patient and listen to your body. Process your emotions at your own pace. Remember that you aren’t alone and that so many others are experiencing physical and emotional symptoms as a result of all the pandemic trauma.
- Engage in self-care that works for you at home and at work. Take breaks. Consider participation in campus self-care activities: -Institute of Health and Wellbeing https://www.csun.edu/wellbeing -Self-Care for You at Northridge https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care
- Remember that your responses are normal and it’s our circumstances that are not normal.
- If you are struggling emotionally, consider counseling through your personal insurance or through our campus Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters https://www.csun.edu/benefits/lifematters-eap
- Explore additional resources provided by LifeMatters which include but are not limited to: Health - behavior and physical health self-assessments; web MD resources, smoking cessation program; Worklife - baby welcome program, advanced adoption, child/elder care resource and referrals, college resources, and referrals, online searches for varied topics such as summer camps, pet care, etc.; Education - online topical videos, interactive E-learning modules on emotional well-being, family life, and the workplace, and a newsletter on various subjects; Phone Consultations - available with attorneys for most legal concerns and with certified financial planners. LifeMatters@CSUN Other Services | California State University, Northridge
How can supervisors support faculty and staff who also are expressing emotional distress?
- Provide positive welcome back notices and events, and reassurance at the beginning of the semester.
- Establish community by fostering supportive connections with faculty and staff through community activities-lunches, holiday gatherings, celebrations.
- Things will not be going back to the way they were pre-pandemic and adjustments are likely to be necessary.
- Understand that people will be affected differently from the pandemic. Some will be excited to be returning to the workplace. Others will be impacted in varying degrees by the stress and anxiety they have experienced.
- Provide structure and routine but also grace and flexibility as returning faculty and staff adjust and discuss their needs with supervisors.
- Have regular check-ins to provide a supportive and collaborative work environment.
- Encourage self-care that can be implemented into office practices by taking breaks, and engaging participation in campus self-care activities: -Institute of Health and Wellbeing https://www.csun.edu/wellbeing -Self-Care for You at Northridge https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care
- Provide information through our campus Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters for those who may need extra support. https://www.csun.edu/benefits/lifematters-eap
