|
University of South
Carolina Student Health Services extends their thoughts,
prayers and deepest condolences to the families and
friends of the individuals involved in the weekend house
fire. SHS is offering assistance to the campus
community through a variety of resources and services:
To assist grieving
students in the wake of Sunday's tragedy, counselors
from the
Counseling and Human Development Center can be
reached by calling 803-777-5223.
Many students may also
be looking for alternative strategies to cope with
stress. While these resources cannot take the place of
friends, family, church, or counselors, they can provide
students with some tools and strategies that might help.
-
Understanding the five stages of grief may
help in facilitating conversation about recent
events. A
collection of articles on grief have been
written for the college student population on grief
and loss.
-
Offer support. Offer your time and support
to lend a helping hand. Make a phone call. Ask
what you can do. A grieving person may need getting
class notes during their absence, fixing a good
meal, or cleaning their room or apartment.
-
Get involved in the upcoming University of South
Carolina Dance Marathon, Delta Delta Delta’s
annual philanthropic project, which benefits
Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. For more
information, visit the
Web site.
-
Massage therapy promotes relaxation and helps
alleviate the perception of pain and anxiety.
Student Wellness Promotion offers 25-minute
chair massages for $20. Call 261-1822 for a
daytime appointment and 576-9393 for an evening
appointment.
-
Stress reduction podcasts, created by
University counselor Sylvia Baker-Blair, are
available
online.
-
Exercise is an excellent way to relieve
stress. Yoga and Pilates offer opportunities for
you to meditate on recent events while being
physically active. Classes are offered at various
times throughout the week. For more information,
visit Campus Recreation’s Group Fitness
Web site.
-
MyStudentBody.com also offers a stress
reduction module. To access the myStudentBody
Stress module, follow the directions from
Healthy Carolina or
Student Wellness Promotion.
-
Meditation and relaxation training may help
in overcoming worries and developing a more positive
outlook on life. For more information, visit the
Counseling and Human Development Center’s group
workshop
Web site.
-
Biofeedback is a technique in which people
improve their health and performance by monitoring
biological signals produced by the body. The
Counseling and Human Development Center offers free
biofeedback training.
It’s important to
recognize that some grieving strategies are considered
unhealthy.
-
Limit your exposure to the media. Avoid
staying glued to the television. Instead, watch for
a brief time and engage in conversation with your
peers.
-
Avoid alcohol or other controlled substances
as a way to cope with recent events.
Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an
easy escape from stress, but the relief is only
temporary. Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand;
deal with problems directly and with a clear mind.
If you feel you may need support with this process,
the Counseling and Human Development Center offers a
workshop dealing with problems related to
substances.
|
