To support faculty and staff in their commitment to support our students, the Counseling Center and the Division of Student Affairs have developed a landing page/website of information and resources to support our students this fall. https://sa.uncg.edu/facstaffmhguidance/ Faculty and staff play an instrumental role in supporting students as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic of racism and the nation’s current culture wars, while also working to pursue their academic goals.

Within the website, there are 4 sections with information and resources —

• What are students experiencing right now? UNCG students are persistent, resilient, and determined as they face many new challenges. As staff and faculty, we can support and enhance that resilience with a good understanding of what students are facing and how these challenges can impact learning.
• Recognizing and Supporting Students in Distress: Faculty and staff are often the front line for students experiencing crisis or distress. Students not only interact with them on a regular basis, but often look up to faculty and staff as mentors and as part of their support system.
• Promoting Mental Health and a Culture of Care: Students were asked what they thought were the most important things for educational leaders to be thinking about during (and after) the pandemic in order to support them. Included in the top responses were: Increased academic support, a Focus on soft skills and More mental health resources. Learn ways and garner resources to promote mental health in your spaces on campus.
• Taking Care of Yourself: It is essential that you stay attuned to your own well-being and needs as you support our students. You are in the same storm of uncertainty, fear, disruption and grief that they are. These resources may help you pay attention to and improve your own well-being as you navigate teaching, mentoring, and supporting our students.