Members of the Penn community:
As we all watch the tragic events at Virginia Tech unfold, we are all joined in the common feelings of shock and sadness. Our thoughts are with all those who are directly and indirectly affected by this tragedy. Here at Penn, we are connected to Virginia Tech through the common bond of being a university community. Some of us have family and friends there; others may have studied or worked there in the past.
Traumatic events like these impact people all over in many different ways. It is very common to experience a range of stress reactions like shock, difficulties concentrating, sleeping problems, disbelief, or fear. These reactions are normal reactions to an abnormal event and usually abate with time. We urge everybody to take care of themselves in the upcoming days, weeks and months. More specifically,
- Talk openly about your feelings and symptoms with others;
- Reach out to family and friends and maintain a good support system;
- Pay attention to basics like healthy diet, adequate sleep and exercise;
- Limit the amount of media coverage to avoid getting overwhelmed;
- Recognize that the reactions are normal and will pass with time.
Support is available in the form of individual counseling and phone consultations at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Counselors are available to meet with groups of students anywhere on campus to discuss/debrief their concerns as and when needed. Counseling can be especially helpful to process one’s feelings and develop strategies to cope adequately. All the services at CAPS are free and confidential. Call (215) 898-7021 for more information.
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