Dear Physics Grad Students, As we approach the middle of the fall semester during the ongoing pandemic, I wanted to take a brief moment to let you know about some resources on campus related to mental health and wellbeing. We all need regular reminders to take care of ourselves so we can bring our best selves to all that we do. Please take some time to review the items below for various ways in which you might connect with others during this time. As always, please let me know if you have any questions along the way. I am happy to meet with you individually to discuss which resources might best serve you if you aren't sure. I'm available to chat or meet on video through MS Teams or your favorite virtual platform. Feel free to reach out anytime. Take good care and have a great day! Best, Michelle

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Being a grad student comes with challenges, and it’s important to take care of your mental health throughout your journey, and seek help doing so when you need it.According to the 2019 Healthy Minds Survey, 93% of UW–Madison graduate students do not think any less of a peer who seeks mental health care, and 89% of UW–Madison graduate students who used mental health care found it helpful.

UW–Madison offers many resources, both on-campus and online, that are available to you as a student.

1. Individual Counselinghttps://go.wisc.edu/4k7sk4. University Health Services (UHS) offers individual counseling in a confidential, caring space. Counseling topics can be any issue that causes distress – emotional, psychological, interpersonal, or academic, for instance. UHS also has bilingual mental health providers for students who are more comfortable speaking in Mandarin or Spanish. This semester, individual counseling sessions are being conducted remotely—over phone or video. 2. Let’s Talkhttps://go.wisc.edu/k1l76d. Let’s Talk provides virtual, informal, 20-minute consultations with a counselor. These drop-in sessions are available each weekday. Drop in to talk to a counselor about any topic – stress, sadness, relationships, academic performance, financial struggles, and family problems are common topics. Counselors can help you explore solutions from their perspective, or, if you’re interested, introduce you to what it’s like to talk to a counselor more regularly. 3. Group Counseling for Graduate Studentshttps://www.uhs.wisc.edu/mental-health/group-counseling/schedule/. UHS offers support/theme groups for graduate students, including groups for all graduate students, groups for dissertators, and groups for graduate women. This supportive environment is a great way to share experiences around the challenges of grad school with other grad students. Groups typically meet one to two hours weekly and may run from four to 12 weeks per semester. These groups fill up very quickly, and students encouraged to call 608.265.5600 option 2 to verify current openings. 4. Graduate Students of Color Grouphttps://www.uhs.wisc.edu/mental-health/group-counseling/schedule/: A support group for graduate students who identify as people of color. Graduate students of color experience unique challenges, microaggressions, and lack of supports compared to their White peers and undergraduate counterparts. 5. Resilience Through Connection Workshopshttps://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8vokUtf4TpphNqZ: A workshop series designed for graduate students. Sessions are held on Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (about 60 minutes structured presentation). Topics rotate week to week. Individuals can sign up for the dates and times that work best for them. 6. Virtual Processing Spaces:https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/mental-health/outreach-services/#processingThis is a recurring online space for current students to connect with each other to cope with isolation, grief/loss, uncertainty about the future, discrimination, and many other things. These spaces are 90min drop-in meetings via Zoom and require a sign-uphttps://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3DUuOcLOPC63Lghto join. Processing spaces will be held on Wednesdays from 5:30pm-7pm. 7. SilverCloudhttps://go.wisc.edu/n304zk. SilverCloud is a self-guided mental health resource that provides treatment options 24 hours a day, no referral from a mental health or medical provider needed. It includes evidence-based learning modules on anxiety, depression, body image, and stress, designed to help students manage day-to-day stresses and improve resilience. 8. Badger Virtual Care Packagehttps://www.uhs.wisc.edu/badger-virtual-care-package/: A list of resources that highlight ways to stay connected and healthy during quarantine. UHS also frequently update their Remote Services websitehttps://www.uhs.wisc.edu/remotehealth/with additional videos, workshops, and tools to get you through this time. 9. Dean of Students Officehttps://go.wisc.edu/0nf20g. Elaine Goetz-Berman serves as the Graduate Student Assistance Specialist, providing student support, acting as an advocate on behalf of graduate students, and connecting students with appropriate campus resources. The Dean of Students Office is the go-to place for student assistance on campus, and Elaine is here to help you.

For more resources on mental health on campus, visit the UHS website on mental healthhttps://go.wisc.edu/6298th.

Michelle R.Z. Holland

Graduate Programs Coordinator

Department of Physics

University of Wisconsin-Madison

608-262-9678 (available while working remotely)

michelle.holland@wisc.edu

Microsoft Teams: @michelle.holland