April 13, 2020

As we begin another week of remote teaching and learning, we want to take a moment to acknowledge that this is another spring that has come with significant challenges to our campus community. While we continue to be amazed at our resilience and growth, we also know that many of us are still actively processing and healing.  

This week you may be experiencing feelings of frustration, anger and sadness. It is a week that may bring up shared memories and thoughts of shared loss. We are not able to gather as a community in the ways we traditionally do to celebrate, to connect, or to grieve. Additionally, as this pandemic has spread across the globe, you may know someone who has been lost to or infected with COVID-19 and this may be adding weight to your emotional capacity.  

We are experiencing collective grief. This difficult time, the impact of the ways in which our lives have changed in order to protect our most vulnerable community members and ourselves, have been accompanied by a great loss. These feelings of frustration, feelings of anger, and feelings of sadness are all connected to our grief about losing the way of life we’ve become reliant on and the loss of how we imagined our experience to be.  

For those of us who have also experienced personal grief, this time of collective grief can layer onto our already existing feelings and trigger memories of loved ones, difficult experiences and loss. You are not alone. If you are concerned about yourself, a student, a classmate, or a co-worker—please reach out. We want to support you. We may not be able to physically be together, but we remain connected as a community.  

For students who may need to seek additional support, information from Psychological Services and our Student Health Center on accessing services is available. Additionally, a weekly grief and loss group is happening on Saturdays at 4:00 pm via Zoom and any student is welcome to attend.  

For staff, in addition to mental health benefits offered through your medical plan, Mental Health America (MHA) has a comprehensive list of resources on a variety of topics related to COVID-19 including free webinars and workshops as well as advice for caregivers, parents, and other groups. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides similar support and advice for employees.

We look forward to connecting with you as we navigate this time together and hope the signs of spring bring you some calm and hope.

All of us at Bennington College wish you safety and good health.