University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students are navigating the fall 2021 semester in the latest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and are collectively experiencing various influences on mental health.

On an individual, campus, and societal level, there has been disproportionate and widespread impact on finances, housing, and food insecurity; prolonged interpersonal isolation and social disconnect; inflexibility with academic support; frustration with poor internet connectivity; and challenges balancing roles of child and self-care. For some, these experiences have come alongside grief for loved ones who have passed away, expectations for the future being shifted due to forces outside of one’s control, and loss of opportunities and memories being made.

Over the past year and a half—and in addition to the pandemic—our country and our community also have seen continued macro- and micro-racist attacks and rhetoric directed toward BIPOC communities, sexual violence, and the threatened safety for LGBTQIA+ communities.

Many are experiencing burnout and a sense of hopelessness may feel natural.

Since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, a stabilization/reduction of suicide rates has been seen nationwide and is attributed to what is called the “pulling together phenomenon.” This happens when, during moments of national crisis, communities lean on one another for survival, often with decreased feelings of burdensomeness because we are going through a shared experience. In moments like these, we tend to have more compassion and empathy for the pain we all carry.

As the pandemic continues and the world around us becomes more familiar, the strength of the pulling together phenomenon will begin to loosen, and we expect it to take a toll on mental health, including increased thoughts of suicide.

So, what can we do?

If we can begin to destigmatize the experience of thoughts of suicide, we can talk about it more openly to provide support to those who are struggling.

We all can play a role in helping each other, by being mindful of the common signs or risks of someone who might be struggling with suicidal thinking. These take the form of:

• Behavioral changes (e.g., irritability, social withdrawal, acting recklessly, giving away of possessions)
• Verbal signs (e.g., feeling like a burden to others, disclosing feelings of being trapped, communication of hopelessness, saying goodbyes)
• Situational factors (e.g., onset of significant mental health concerns, interpersonal loss, prolonged stress/trauma, access to lethal means).

If you are concerned about someone, asking directly from a supportive and nonjudgmental perspective can help them feel less shamed and blamed.

Being intentional in nurturing the protective factors against suicide can play a significant role in suicide prevention. These take many forms, including:

• Self-care (e.g., daily routine, sleep, nutrition, physical activity, hygiene)
• Interpersonal connectedness (e.g., classmates, academic departments, family, friends, organizations, and social institutions)
• Life skill development (e.g., problem-solving, resiliency coping, adaptability to stress), and active integration of tools such as: gratitude, hope/optimism, forgiveness, and meaning/purpose.

An online resource called Kognito is available to help you develop your awareness, knowledge, and skills to talk about mental health and suicide prevention. The Employee Assistance Program also offers free individual and group Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training.

If you are struggling, mental health resources are available to you. Please visit the Mental Health at Iowa website for additional information.

Let’s continue to pull together to support one another as we find our ways through the remainder of this semester and rest of the year ahead.

Ian K. Evans, Psy.D.
University Counseling Service (UCS)
Staff psychologist and suicide prevention coordinator