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It is normal that the spreading of the coronavirus and this exceptional situation cause worry, uncertainty and possibly also sorrow, puzzlement, fear, anxiety and even anger.

Any situation in which we cannot manage or control things as much as we want may cause helplessness and uncertainty. This is only natural. Pay attention to things you can do and influence. For example, you can affect your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of fellow students. You can also observe the instructions how to protect others from the spreading of infections.

It is good to remember that the situation is temporary and that people have always faced different kinds of diseases and illnesses. Now society, with good intentions, tries to take care of our wellbeing through a variety of actions.

Keep contact to your friends and family members

Use the tools available on your phone and the internet. We especially recommend visual contact whenever possible with the communication devices. Share your thoughts, worries and feelings with your family and friends. For example, a WhatsApp group may be a simple way to keep contact to fellow students.

Keep hold of everyday routines and schedules especially when you spend a lot of time at home. Plan a suitable daily rhythm for activity and rest. Families with children should plan sufficiently activities during a day. Prevent boredom and dullness proactively.

Also notice the opportunities offered by the situation: You may use more time for things you otherwise couldn’t and thus benefit from this exceptional situation. For example, you may have delayed studies, and now you have a chance to do them. Consider also doing something remotely with your friends.

It may also be necessary to pay attention to the sources from which you follow the news and limit them to reliable ones.

Some of us may have a tendency to get stuck in worries. Pay attention to that you don’t start to dwell in worrying thoughts. Human mind easily has a tendency to exaggerate things, but it is very normal. If you notice that you are getting stuck with your thoughts, try the following options:

• Speak with a friend and describe your thoughts and feelings
• Consider taking a break from the flood of media content and giving your mind some rest. Instead, try focusing on something else for a while. Reading, movies, music, physical exercise at home or a mindfulness exercise are good options
• Note and remember that thoughts are just thoughts and that we don’t need to take all our thoughts too seriously
• Be open to what you feel. You can’t and don’t need to run away from your feelings, but you can put them into perspective and consider just as feelings.

All Student Life guidance services operate as normally, but remotely

If you feel strong anxiety, you can discuss with a Student Life contact person and ask for counselling.
As a preventive action to minimize the infection risk, low-threshold counselling is offered to students remotely. Face-to-face counselling is not arranged but discussions take place by phone or digital services. The counselling staff will instruct you about the use of remote tools.

JYU wellbeing services:

• Goodies help students by discussing about troubling matters and, when necessary, they direct the student for further help. Goodies are JYU employees who are trained for wellbeing guidance. You can reach Goodies remotely Monday–Friday (9–16) and agree on a guidance session by email or by phone. Find the Goodies (student wellbeing advisors) of your department here!
• University chaplain. With the university chaplain you can discuss on any matter remotely or personally on the campus. You can reach him by email or by phone. Feel free to contact the chaplain on any issue! (050 594 8167, matti.vaatainen@evl.fi)
• Student union’s specialists. The specialists of the Student Union are available to help you to maintain good and smooth student life.
• Enhanced guidance counseling. If you need enhanced guidance counselling, it is currently offered online. Enhanced guidance counselling is offered by specialists who support the wellbeing and study ability of students. You can apply for enhanced guidance counselling through a Goodie, an accessibility contact person, FSHS or a Student Compass support person. More information on enhanced counselling
• As for service providers outside the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ ( for JYU’s Master’s degree students, for exchange students), please follow the instructions of the organization offering the service
• and the have published instructions and information on the coronavirus
• Do you think you have the coronavirus infection? and follow their helpful instructions.
• Nyyti’s Chat is a place for sharing ideas and experiences. Group chat is available covering different topics that affect students’ everyday life.