Dear College of Education Community,
The recent escalation of war in the Middle East is a source of stress for many of us. Feelings of anxiety, fear, and despair are being experienced by people everywhere, those directly in the path of the violence, those who currently have families and friends in the Middle East, and those concerned about the effects of war on other human beings.
Jim Kendall, LCSW, CEA, has discussed how the impact of violent crises can be very triggering in our own lives and requires courage and resilience to handle how we may be impacted. If you or a colleague are having difficulty coping, here are some things he recommends:
- Listen to others even if their viewpoints are different from your own and continue to validate the feelings that you have.
- Focus on the things you have control over.
- Reflect on the fact that, at the moment, you are safe.
- Prioritize your own self-care.
- Seek support from friends, colleagues, or a professional if your distress begins interfering with your function, your work, or your relationships.
- If you are feeling helpless, learn more about how to help in relation to the war in Middle East and in Ukraine and get involved. Donate aid to organizations who help the people who need your support the most during these crises.
For coping tips for traumatic events and disasters, go to:
https://www.csun.edu/revitalize/toolkits
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disasters/coping-tips
For resources on how to talk with children about violence, please go to:
For a list of other self-care options, you can also go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care
The educational and counseling communities continue our commitment to restoring peace and safeguarding human life at this time of conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Warmly,
Shari