Some anniversaries are reasons to celebrate–birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and anniversaries of accomplishments! However, our minds also register anniversaries of difficult or traumatic events. Last spring, our campus encountered a series of unfortunate events that included the death of two of our students. It is important to acknowledge that for some of us, feelings, thoughts, or memories of what we experienced last spring may arise as we approach the anniversary of these traumatic events. As faculty and staff, it is important to recognize how this approaching anniversary may be impacting you and to take steps to engage in appropriate self-care or seek support so you can navigate through this time in a healthy way. These tips from Cigna Health may be helpful to consider:
- Find meaningful ways to honor these anniversaries
- Reach out to others who care about you for support
- Remind yourself of your resilience
- Find ways to restore balance by focusing on the hear and now
- Make use of professional resources such as Clarkson’s EAP program or the mental health benefits covered by your health insurance
It is also important to acknowledge students who may also be impacted by this “anniversary effect”. They may not recognize why they are struggling or that it is common to be impacted by anniversaries. Offering your support as they navigate the end-of-the-semester demands while also encouraging healthy self-care can be very impactful. Remind your students that the Counseling Center is available to support them and that they can have free access to a counselor through Mantra Health through the “on-demand” emotional support link between noon and midnight 7 days a week. If there are any students you are especially concerned about, please consider submitting a SafetyNet referral for someone to check on them.
