The UMass Amherst Counseling and Psychological Health Center (CCPH) is offering several online support groups and community conversations for members of the campus community over the summer.
Screening is currently open for support groups and they will begin once a large enough group has been screened. Community conversations are now underway and registration is open.
Available support groups:
Women's Graduate Support Group
Wednesdays 3:30-5 p.m.
Experiential personal growth group with a focus on mutual support, self-exploration, self-expression, interpersonal relationships, managing anxiety, balancing multiple roles and addressing obstacles to completing dissertations/theses.
This group is only open to students physically located in the state of Massachusetts.
Graduate Student Support Group
Tuesdays 3:30-5 p.m.
A co-ed experiential personal growth group with a focus on mutual support, self-exploration, self-expression, interpersonal relationships, managing anxiety, balancing multiple roles, and addressing obstacles to completing dissertations/theses.
This group is only open to students physically located in the state of Massachusetts.
Trans and Gender Non-conforming Support Group
Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Free and open to all UMass Amherst and 5 College students who identify as trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming or questioning. This group is co-sponsored by the UMass Stonewall Center.
Students located in any state or internationally are welcome.
New members should register for a support group by leaving a voicemail at CCPH at (413)-545-2337) with name and a call back number. For the Trans and Gender Non-conforming Support Group, also leave preferred gender pronouns.
The group leader will then follow up to schedule a 30-minute screening to make sure the group is an appropriate fit prior to the new member joining a group session.
Available community conversations:
Managing Cultural Stressors in the Time of COVID-19: A Support Group for Students of Color
Thursdays 3-4 p.m.
This group will offer students of color support with any changes in their life associated with the COVID-19 crisis. The group is a drop-in model, where discussion is based on the needs of the group that day. Potential topics of discussion include:
- Discussion of how we are personally impacted by COVID-19
- Difficulty adjusting to the new structure of life
- Managing losses (financial, relational, independence, opportunities)
- Coping with impact on family and community; locally and abroad
- Concerns about health care, risk, and prevention amidst inequalities
Facilitated by Christian Smith, LICSW and Jennifer Muñiz-Rodriguez, Psy. D.
Seniors Support Group
Wednesdays 4-5 p.m.
This group is intended for seniors to process and receive connection around losses unique to them. This group is a drop-in model, where discussion is based on the needs of group members that day. Potential topics of discussion may include:
- Change of graduation celebration
- Managing the new job market and financial stressors
- Adjusting to changes in your vision of the future
- Maintaining connection in meaningful ways during this transition time
- Living in an unexpected situation
This group will be offered past graduation for any seniors, and will run through July 2020.
Managing Stressors in the Time of COVID-19: A Community Conversation
Wednesdays 1-2 p.m.
This group will offer students support with any changes in their life associated with the COVID-19 crisis. The group is a drop-in model, where discussion is based on the needs of the group members that day. Potential topics of discussion include:
- Discussion of how we are personally impacted by COVID-19
- Difficulty adjusting to the new structure of life
- Managing losses, e.g. financial stability, independence, face to face connection
- Family issues
- Developing a new routine and structure of wellness in our new reality
- Creating connection with other students facing similar circumstances
To register for any of the community groups, visit https://www.umass.edu/counseling/groups-and-workshops
Registration should be completed by participants each week they wish to join.