Dear MIT Students:
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming societal stressors and forces that negatively impact our mental, physical, and spiritual health as well as our sense of wellbeing and safety in the world. Please know that your mental health and wellbeing is our highest priority and Student Mental Health & Counseling Services includes a diverse and dedicated team of professionals committed to serving MIT students in culturally competent and affirming ways.
I encourage any student who is experiencing distress to call us at 617-253-2916. We are available Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. We can respond to any mental health-related inquiries or urgent concerns, connect you with one of our providers, or help match you with a mental health professional in the community. As always, clinicians are on call for emergencies 24 hours a day. We are thinking of you and committed to your wellbeing — please do not hesitate to reach out.
We encourage everyone to continue engaging in healthy self-care, and we look forward to connecting with you. Below are some resources, including podcasts, videos, and other resources to help MIT students navigating life at MIT.
Kind regards,
Karen Singleton, Ph.D.
Associate Medical Director; Chief of Student Mental Health & Counseling Services
Videos
Dealing with exam anxiety
Senior Clinical Social Worker Leslie Langston offers advice for understanding and coping with exam anxiety and reducing stress using the mind/body connection.
Baking Bread with Tony Lim
Feeling stressed about everything that's going on in the world? Knead it out! Join Dr. Antonio Lim for a sourdough bread tutorial with stress management tips.
Fight, flight, or freeze with Dr. Daniel Debowy
Dr. Daniel Debowy discusses how the alert systems in our brains are activated by external stressors and offers guidance for managing our instinctual responses to these alerts, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19: First-generation and financially stressed students
First-generation college students and students who are from financially stressed families face unique challenges as they navigate student life. Clinical Social Worker Leslie Langston discusses support services and resources available to MIT Students throughout the year, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The importance of time: Staying engaged and focused during COVID-19
Dr. Daniel Debowy shares advice and resources for maintaining focus and concentration as we self-isolate during the COVID-19 situation.
Increase your productivity during study sessions
Psychologist Maryam Khodadoust offers students tips for increasing the productivity of their study sessions.
Podcasts
Imposter Phenomenon
Black Mental Health Matters
Track it: Using Data for Self-Care
Digital detox and self-care
LGBTQ-centered care at MIT Medical
LGBTQ-centered care at MIT Medical
Jenny O'Brien, Ph.D.
Why choose group therapy?
Mindfulness revisited
Antidepressants - FAQs
Anthony Van Niel, M.D.
Perfectionism
Hacking your potential: How to successfully work with challenges
Stress Management During the COVID-19 Crisis
Mindfulness and Self-Care for MIT Students
Strategies to Reduce Procrastination
Food for Thought
Christina Brothers, L.I.C.S.W.
CBT Strategies to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Maryam Khodadoust, Psy.D.
