Guest: Amid traumatic times on campuses, we must work to make students feel safe, supported
The World Health Organization has declared that COVID is no longer a “public health emergency of international concern.” It was three years ago when the world was hit by the pandemic, shredding normalcy for everyone in its wake and impacting everyone’s mental health. Many colleges and universities found the influence COVID-19 had on school and college-age students had lasting health impacts — some physical, others psychological. Now, as college students are still fighting to regain their mental solitude, another issue endemic to the times is threats to campus safety.
While the incident that occurred on the University of Oklahoma's Norman campus on April 7 proved to be a hoax — it was deemed an event called “swatting” — the feelings the OU community felt were not. The students who barricaded themselves in university buildings, ran to find cover, hid in a dark room, or texted loved ones trying to see if they were safe all experienced a form of trauma.
Students across the country also are dealing with similar feelings. This flood of emotions has been felt across the country, with more than 100 schools falling prey to active shooters on campus in the past three years. The stream of media on their phones constantly showing headlines of mass shooting events has promoted a mental health emergency of students and their loved ones.
At OU, students are reminded that there are several ways to help them deal with a traumatizing event, and I believe that these can be extended to our larger Oklahoma community. If you are going through something, you do not have to be alone.
Meet basic needs
Those going through trauma can help support themselves by remembering to take these steps:
Sleep ― Try to get eight hours of sleep, or the amount that makes you comfortable.
Eat healthy ― Avoid overly greasy or sugary foods, and eat nourishing foods.
Exercise ― Whether it is taking a short walk, going for a run, playing a sport or going to the gym, any kind of physical activity can help.
Limit time on your phone ― Put your phone on "do not disturb" and take a break from constantly taking in information from media or social media apps. Social media may include fake information, making the feelings associated with trauma worse.
Supportive actions
Reach out ― If you know of someone who is at high risk of being impacted by trauma, reach out to them. Ask if they are well and offer a way for them to contact you or a safe place if they ever need it.
Find an expert ― Contact an organization at your university, place of employment or in your community that specializes in mental health.
Be mindful ― After a mass shooting or a swatting event such as occurred on campus, be cognizant that some individuals may be severely affected for a period of time, so be flexible with deadlines when possible.
Peer and family support
Communicate ― Reach out to friends and loved ones to make sure they feel safe and are emotionally sound. Communicate the importance of self-care and other ways to deal with stress.
Let them lead ― After a trauma-inducing event, let those most impacted lead the conversation on it. Do not ask too many questions about the event, as they may not be ready to talk about it yet. Just let them know you are there for them anytime.
Share other ways of support ― If you notice your friend or loved one struggling consistently after the event, encourage them to reach out to resources that could provide them support.
With the constant stream of troubling news, along with threats targeting the safety and security of colleges and universities across the world, we must continue doing everything in our power to support each other and our students.
Just as communities were encouraged to work together three years ago to combat the pandemic, we must work as a unified community today to help students feel safe and supported on our campuses.
Scott Miller is the director of the University Counseling Center at the University of Oklahoma.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Just as students try to regain mental solitude, safety becomes issue
