Mental Health and Well-being Resources - UNC-Chapel Hill Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office

We hope you are prioritizing your health and well-being during this extremely difficult time. Our hearts go out to all UNC community members.

EOC would like to remind Tar Heels of the Heels Care Network. If you are in need of mental health and well-being resources, we encourage you to visit care.unc.edu.

Our team of Report and Response Coordinators are also here to support you during this difficult time. They can serve as a guide if you are in need of campus resources. They can be reached by email at reportandresponse@unc.edu or via phone at 919-445-2759.

Additional Resources

If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone right now, please text START to the National Crisis Text Line through this number: 741-741
You can also chat, call, or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline via this number: 988
If you are concerned about your immediate physical safety, please reach out to your local law enforcement by calling 911.
For updates on University operations, please visit AlertCarolina.

Strategies to Cope

Here are some helpful strategies as we try to cope with this week’s tragedy.

An infographic that reads, "Trauma can make it hard to go about your normal life. It can shake your sense of safety – on campus and beyond. Although people will experience a traumatic event differently, it can have a very real impact on your mental health and well-being. Your responses may begin immediately, or you may feel fine for a couple of days — or even weeks — and suddenly have a reaction. You deserve support, and reaching out should help you cope and heal sooner. Remember: There are many tools to help you as you begin to cope."

Infographic that says, "Give yourself time to feel and process your emotions. There is no right way to react to Monday’s events. Let yourself feel what you’re feeling. Remember, emotions are normal, and they will shift with time. Have patience with yourself. Talk about it. For most people, the act of telling someone how we feel and being genuinely heard can support healing in powerful ways. When you feel ready, ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen to your concerns. It often helps to have a conversation with others who have shared your experience so you do not feel alone. Remember that some people won’t feel ready to talk or process; be open to a range of needs. "

Infographic that says, "Take care of the basics. Eat regularly, get good sleep, and move your body. Familiar tasks can be a comfort and put psychological distance between you and the event. Let go of unnecessary to-do items. Make small decisions, even when you feel that it’s unimportant to regain a sense of control. Try to keep up your regular routine if you can. Add more self-care when you’re ready. When your energy allows, re-engage in self-care routines like physical activity. Creative outlets can help you express and work through your feelings. Spend time with people – talk or just be together. Participate in activities that bring you happiness, pleasure, and a sense of normalcy. "

Infographic that says, "Create calm. Trauma can increase stress and anxiety, but research shows that pausing, taking a breath, and finding ways to create calm can help us cope with stressful situations. Use your thoughts and environment to remind your body that it is safe. Practice compassion. This could mean being gentle and respectful of the range of responses to trauma, even if you don’t understand them. "

Infographic that says, "Do something to help. Action can help us regain a sense of control in situations that might otherwise seem overwhelming. If you’re able, engage in constructive activities that uplift your spirits. Lend a supportive ear to someone who needs it. Feel empowered to step up for those who you see struggling and act as an advocate for those around you. Helping someone else often has the benefit of making you feel better and creates a culture of care and support. "

Infographic that says, "Know your resources. You deserve support, and reaching out should help you cope and heal sooner. There are many ways to get support for yourself or people close to you. At UNC-Chapel Hill, you can use the Resource Hub on the Heels Care Network to filter for the resources that will work best at this moment. You can filter by your role on campus, identity group, immediacy of need, and so much more. From peer support like LSN to trainings and professional mental health care, the resource hub can help you find what you need for mental health and wellbeing. "

August 28 Campus Incident: Frequently Asked Questions

The University has setup a designated section of unc.edu designed to answer questions frequently asked by the campus community following the August 28 shooting.