This is a hard time. How we work and live is upended, unknown, and untested due to a global health pandemic. The threat of illness is real for each of us and for those we love, near or far. Some of us may have already been sick or even experienced unfathomable loss as a result of COVID-19.

There isn’t a handbook for this situation and the resultant uncertainty, layered with anxiety and fear, can be stressful. How that stress is manifested can look very different from person to person depending on our life circumstances, but it is real for each person experiencing it.

We need to recognize the toll this situation might be taking on us and be compassionate with ourselves. We also need to recognize the toll on our students, colleagues and employees and be willing to extend that same compassion to them. We are in this together.

It can be difficult to know where to start getting help when we are living this chaos ourselves. Below are resources we have compiled and hope they will help you personally or if you need to help someone else during this difficult time.

Take care of yourself and others. We will persevere.

Last updated 4/1/20

Emergency situations

If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:

• Call 911
• Call the Crisis Connections 24 hour Crisis Line: 866-427-4747; local 206-461-3222; TTY: 206-461-3219
• Text the Crisis Text Line: 24-hour crisis support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to get connected with a Crisis Counselor.

Coronavirus and the UW’s response

The UW’s Coronavirus & COVID-19 Facts & Resources site provides up-to-date information about what to do if you feel sick, telework and time off, classes, academics and research, events and university operations, and travel and study abroad.

Self-care and wellness resources for everyone

The Whole U curated a list of virtual wellness resources of many different kinds to help us stay healthy, mentally and physically, during this time.

Here are just a few of the many other resources available:

• Managing Stress resources from the Whole U
• Virtual fitness and mindfulness classes from the Whole U
• Sanvello: free access to this app that teaches coping skills and engages users in practices and exercises to manage stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Ideas for professional development and wellness while working from home from UW HR.
• LinkedIn offers 16 free courses on successful Remote Working
• For those with families at home:
  • healthychildren.org – the American Academy of Pediatrics’s Parenting Website has COVID-19 specific information for parents/caregivers
  • Tips for families during COVID-19 from UW HR
  • At-home learning resources from UW HR
  • Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with Coronavirus
• Helping others might help you feel better, too:
  • UW Medicine’s Right as Rain’s 5 Ways to Help During the Coronavirus Crisis
  • Help a UW family in need of urgent child care: UW Emergency Baby and Kid Sitter Network
  • Donate unused protective supplies to Washington’s health care workers: Supplies Save Lives Washington

Self-care and wellness resources for faculty and staff

• UW CareLink is available 24/7 for benefits-eligible faculty and staff who may need support navigating these extraordinary times. UW CareLink connects you with experts who help you and family members get free, confidential access to guidance consultants who provide counseling and other resources.
  • Available 24 hours/7 days a week at 1-866-598-3978 (TTY: 800-697-0353)
  • Visit the UW CareLink web site and enter UW for the organization code
• Online resources through UW CareLink:
  • Webinar (prerecorded): Coping with Uncertainty about Coronavirus
  • Webinar (prerecorded): Navigating Your Work From Home Transition Due to Coronavirus
  • Health and Safety Resources List from the CDC, WHO, and others across the globe
  • Guide to Navigating Life at Home: Staying healthy and learning to live together during self-isolation are important lessons. This guide offers tips and tools for a productive home life.
• UW’s SafeCampus: a place to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others.
  • Available 24 hours/7 days a week at 206-685-7233
  • Email safecampus@uw.edu; monitored 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on weekdays.
• Child care options and resources for UW employees and faculty members

Self-care and wellness resources for students

• Husky Health and Well-Being:
  • Central resource for all UW Seattle student health services
• UW Counseling Center offers short-term mental health services at no charge to currently enrolled, degree-seeking UW Seattle students.
  • The Counseling Center is providing all services spring quarter via secure Zoom.
  • Call 206-543-1240 to access services.
  • Hours: M/W/F 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tu 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, Th 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Let’s Talk: a program that connects UW students with support from experienced counselors from the Counseling Center and Hall Health without an appointment.
  • Appointments are drop-in via Zoom
  • Held M/Tu/Th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
• Hall Health:
  • Campus Health Center providing both medical and mental health care to students
  • Hall Health flyer for coping with COVID-19 related stress.
  • For Medical: 206-685-1011
  • For Mental Health: 206-543-5030
  • Email: hhpccweb@uw.edu.
  • Hours: M/W/Th/F: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm, Tu 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
• SafeCampus: a place to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others.
  • Available 24 hours/7 days a week at 206-685-7233
  • Email safecampus@uw.edu; monitored 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on weekdays.
• LiveWell: UW student programs intended to empower students with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices during their time at UW and beyond.
  • Includes Student Coaching and Care, a starting point for students in distress and in need of multiple levels of support.
  • Available Mon – Fri, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at 206-543-6085 or livewell@uw.edu.
  • Also includes Alcohol & Other Drug Education Programs, Peer Health Educators, Suicide Intervention Program, and Survivor Support & Advocacy.
• Child care resources
  • Community child care options: Child Care Resources, Boys & Girls Club and King County, YMCA full-day break camps, Seattle Public Schools child care web site
  • Financial assistance program for student parents: Child Care Assistance Program and their Finding Childcare Providers resources