The “Back to School” season often brings a wave of excitement and new beginnings, but it can also carry a heavy load of stress for both educators and learners. This year, with the added layer of an election season in the United States, the mental load may feel especially heavy. Across the country, our partner institutions are stepping up to support their communities through this complex time, ensuring that resources and safe spaces are available to all who may need them.
Here are a few examples of the thoughtful efforts from our partner schools. We’d also love to hear about any additional resources, initiatives, or strategies that you’ve found helpful in, or created for, supporting mental well-being through the pressures of this season and beyond.
- University of Michigan: Their September student newsletter by Robert D. Ernst, M.D. thoughtfully outlines five specific ways students can seek support, including counseling services, primary care, wellness coaching, peer support groups, and curated online resources.
- Washington University in St. Louis: An October Newsroom article by Diane Toroian Keaggy sensitively addresses the increased stress and anxiety that election season can bring, offering practical steps students can take to manage their well-being and emphasizing the critical role of empathy during this time.
- University of Virginia:
- Their October Student Experience article compassionately highlights small, meaningful behaviors suggested by Chief Mental Health Officer Nicole Ruzek—like unplugging, being present, resting, connecting, and moving—that can make a big difference, and provides clear, accessible resources to help students put these into practice.
- Their follow-up Research & Discovery article provides advice from Psychology professor Bethany Teachman, who recommends three daily reflection questions to help manage stress and anxiety through this season.
If you have other resources or ideas that your institution has implemented, please share them with us. Every action—big or small—contributes to creating a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported during challenging times.
