UWC Well-Being Check - How to support yourself and others during the COVID-19 Pandemic - Goals, Mental Health, Prevention, Response

Aug 26, 2026

UWC Well-Being Check provides a practical framework for supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic, covering both mental and physical well-being. It defines mental health through well-being models and outlines flourishing pillars, then highlights emergency warning signs requiring immediate medical attention. The guide lists COVID-19 prevention and care resources, common psychological reactions, and referral triggers such as substance use, severe mood or anxiety symptoms, disordered eating, psychosis, trauma, or reported abuse. It also offers step-by-step response skills, campus and off-campus crisis contacts, and self check-in strategies including sleep, nutrition, movement, connection, limits, self-compassion, and taking space for the self.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Goals

Mental health and flourishing

COVID-19 warning signs

Prevention and care resources

Common reactions and when to refer

How to respond

Mental health emergencies

How to check in on yourself

UWC Well-Being Check How to support yourself and others during the COVID-19 Pandemic University Wellness Center & Wellness Commons Goals ● Support students on and oﬀ campus during stressful & traumatic time ● Understand signs, symptoms, and warning signs for mental and physical health problems ● Understand resources and refer as needed ● Provide framework and guidance for conducting a wellness check ● Balance checking-in with coaching and advising ● Understand how to foster resilience and flourishing during a pandemic ● Develop knowledge about self-care resources and practices What is Mental Health? Not just the absence of pathology (mental illness), but more broadly defined as well-being Well-Being (Ryﬀ, 1989) ● Self-acceptance ● Positive relationships ● Autonomy ● Environmental Mastery ● Purpose in Life ● Sense of Personal Growth What is Mental Health? Pillars of Flourishing (VanderWeele, 2017) ● Happiness and life satisfaction ● Mental and physical health ● Meaning and purpose ● Character and virtue ● Close social relationships ● Financial stability FLOURISHING COVID-19 If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include: ● Trouble breathing ● Persistent pain or pressure in the chest ● New confusion or inability to arouse ● Bluish lips or face Sewanee COVID-19 Information COVID-19 Prevention ● CDC: How to protect yourself, your family, your home ● CDC: How to manage your stress & anxiety COVID-19 Care ● CDC: What to do if you are sick ● CDC: Caring for yourself at home (pdf) ● CDC: Caring for someone at home ● CDC: Cleaning and disinfection recommendations ● American Psychological Association Resources Common Reactions to COVID-19 ● Pandemic = Trauma = unpredictable, uncontrollable, and aversive ○ Some behavioral changes are to be expected during this time ○ Lead with validation ● Numbing Behavior ○ Mild-Compulsive ● Grief ● Sleep, Nutrition, and Movement Changes ● Heightened levels of stress and anxiety ● Tearfulness ● Feelings of loneliness and disconnection ● Diﬀiculty with focus and concentration ● Monitor over time: may need to refer Signs and Symptoms: Need to Refer ● Substance use ● Mood-depressive and/or manic ● Anxiety symptoms ● Disordered eating symptoms ● Psychotic symptoms ● Trauma & PTSD ● Any reported abuse How to RESPOND ● Recognize signs ● Empathize ● Share your concerns ● Pose open questions ● Oﬀer hope ● Navigate resources ● Do self-care Mental Health Emergencies On Campus ● During business hours, call CAPS 931-598-1325 ● Sewanee Crisis Line (24/7): 931-598-1700 ● 911 Oﬀ Campus ● National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 ● Trevor Lifeline (support for LGBTQIAA youth): 1-866-488-7386 ● Steve Fund Crisis Text Line: Text STEVE to 741741 ● 911 How to Check-In: On Yourself ● Care doesn’t have to be complex: ○ Sleep, Nutrition, Movement, and Connection (virtually if needed) ● Attending to your own self-care ○ Setting up appropriate space for learning/teaching ○ Setting limits (media, work) ○ Managing demands from others ○ Reasonable expectations: Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus-Inspired Productivity ○ Taking space and time for the self ○ Practice self-compassion ○ Have some fun!

FAQs

UWC Well-Being Check主要目标是什么？

主要目标包括在压力与创伤时期支持校内外学生，识别心理与身体健康的迹象，并学习如何进行关怀式的健康检查、提供指导，同时在疫情中促进韧性与自我照护。

文档中提到哪些COVID-19紧急警示信号需要立刻就医？

包括呼吸困难、胸部持续疼痛或压迫、新出现的意识混乱或无法唤醒、以及嘴唇或面部发青等紧急警示信号。

如何进行健康检查并在他人支持中做出有效回应？

通过识别信号、共情、表达关切、提出开放式问题、给予希望、引导资源，并落实自我照护。同时对可能需要转介的情况（如药物使用、严重情绪或焦虑症状、创伤相关问题等）进行监测与转介。

Aug 26, 2026

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