GradSupport

If you have a question or would like to schedule an appointment, please email gradsupport@mit.edu . If you have a question that will be answered by email or phone, a GradSupport team member will respond as quickly as possible to answer your question and provide any additional resources that may help.

A GradSupport team member will connect with you to schedule an appointment.

Typically, appointments will be scheduled for 1-2 business days after scheduling, based on availability.

Appointments are typically 30 minutes, giving you space to talk over your situation with a caring member of the GradSupport team. They can help develop strategies, approaches, and solutions for your individual circumstance.

Depending on the situation, you may set up a follow-up meeting. You will leave the meeting with tools, strategies, resources, and information to move forward. GradSupport may also complete follow-up items, such as getting more information for you or advocating on your behalf.

As MIT plans for increasing research operations, many people will face difficult situations in relation to returning physically to campus. Here are some tips for those conversations. You may also find this video useful.

1. Map it out
   • Develop a new structured daily routine which includes time allotted to exercise, eating and sleeping as well as activities of daily living including showering and dressing.  Discuss and set with your advisor(s) weekly or biweekly work goals and milestones.
2. Fight isolation
   • Create scheduled check in times with other students, advisor(s) via a virtual medium (Zoom, Webex)
   • Use instant messaging modalities such as Slack to maintain contact with friends and peers.
   • Play online board games with friends such as Monopoly or PlayingCards.io
3. Maintain self-care practices
   • Keep teletherapy appointments
   • Exercise
   • Get fresh air (e.g., walking around block, bike ride)
   • Acknowledge your feelings. Start a written journal, and/or talk to loved ones
   • Laugh! Watch comedies, movies, shows that bring you joy.
   • Practice mindfulness – Sign up for Calm (sleep stories, meditations, etc.)
4. Pump the brakes
   • Set daily time limit for reading about COVID-19. Keep informed, not flooded with information.

The Miller Fund is a resource available to help with medical costs not covered by insurance.  For more information, graduate students should make an appointment with GradSupport by emailing gradsupport@mit.edu.

• Create a sense of safety for yourself through a prevention approach.  Keep your hands clean using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.  Choose a hands-free greeting instead of a handshake.
• Engage in self-care such as getting plenty of sleep.  This will help you stay calm and grounded.
• Reduce media exposure if you find yourself on information overload which can trigger anxiety.
• Think of others.  Focus on sharing information or resources with your fellow students, neighbors and friends who might need assistance with obtaining food and housing.
• Stay connected with people and keep in touch with your networks.  Let people in your support system know if you need help. To access a culturally trained Crisis Text Line counselor, Text STEVE to 741741.
• Remain reality based on coronavirus using trusted sources of accurate, up-to-date information such as:
  • Centers for Disease Control
  • American Public Health Association
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network
  • World Health Organization

View the full email from The Steve Fund.