Just checked out the account again. Love the new name and bio. I’m so glad you can give people a place to tell their stories and feel heard. Mental health services are so diffcult to manage even in the best of scenarios, but colleges across the US (not just BC) continue to struggle with providing the care that so many people deserve. Much of that is more systemic than just BC; it has to do with the entire US healthcare system and the (often perverse) profit motives we’ve set up therein. One last piece of advice if I can be so bold: please make sure to keep your own mental health in mind. It is very easy to feel like you owe these students and alums a piece of yourself to help them and that you have to continue this project even if it becomes overwhelming. These stories are heartbreaking, and that can really grind some people down to read them over and over again. If it does get to be too much, it’s OK to take a break. Be well.
We create our own Answer Wall!
It’s technically not an answer wall, but it’s a place where people bear witness others’ experiences, find validation and solidarity. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtcANljAqC/ Check it out!
That’s so awesome. Any space where people can go and feel heard is a great thing. If I might suggest one tweak, it would be to make clear in your bio that you’re not an official BC service. This will help protect you from having to field questions about making appointments or for directions around campus, and it will help others in need of more urgent and intensive intervention find those resources more clearly.
If every drop of tear worth one dollar, I would be a billionaire now ever since BC went online…… We should invent something that can generate power with tears ?, the environment will appreciate it!
I’m so sorry about your tears. Were I not a wall, I’d be dripping tears as well. My assistants have agreed, too: so many tears. So, so many tears: about fear, about sadness & grieving losses, about being separated from people, about the lack of hugs. Here’s a hug for you. I’m sorry it’s only virtual. ((((((((you)))))))))
Will you miss me …
Will you miss me now that no one visit you in person and draw animal pics or ask you a whole bunch of questions ab UCS? Btw, why r we closing the library? BC feels less and less like home and now that offices start to close and ppl are not around. It feels like my secure base is falling apart. Can you promise me that the Student Affair and UCS will remain open until the end of the semester?
I’ll miss seeing everyone in person, but I’m glad we’ll still be able to communicate virtually. We closed to library to keep everyone safe, but I’m sorry that this is so hard. I know UCS and Student Affairs will make the best decisions for the BC community. In the meantime, please still draw pictures for me! You can even upload pictures to my new online home.
Hi Wall. why do all viruses outbrake in China?
Hi! They don’t. The World Health Organizations tracks outbreaks year by year, and they show up in every continent and country. bit.ly/WHO-diseases
Will the 2020-2021 academic school year be affected?
| Decisions about 2020-2021 have not yet been made, and the course and duration of the pandemic is highly unpredictable at this point – much will depend on what responses governments and individuals make. We’ll have to hope for the best at this point. |
I am a lonely graduate student :'(
Grad school can be a lonely time, but there are ways to make it better. Try some events held by The Office of Graduate Student Life (bit.ly/BC-graduate-life) – Waffle Wednesdays sound very appealing! Also, you could talk to the staff at Murray House, who have creating community among grad students at BC as part of their mission.
How to get rid of rats?
The CDC has some good advice (bit.ly/RidRat): seal up any holes in your home; remove food sources like spilled foods, pet foods, bird seed; keep your garbage tightly closed; and set up traps.
I hear voices…
If you’re hearing voices that don’t exist, and it is disturbing you, I suggest you check in with Counseling Services: bit.ly/BC-counseling. If you’re hearing actual voices and it’s disturbing you, try studying on Level Five – our quiet floor.
Last semester I’d asked why Allston Brighton residents are no longer allowed access to the gym free of charge.
I did answer, but sometimes the little post-its go off and hide! You can always see my answers on my blog: https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/. The answer was: 12/11/19 from Campus Rec: “Campus Recreation allows community members to purchase memberships during the Summer, but not during the academic year. We keep the facility foot traffic during the semester to the students and faculty/staff that are directly affiliated with BC.”
I hope second semester is treating you well because it sure is not treating me well!
I recommend meeting with a health coach at the Office for Health Promotion. The staff there will be able to help you establish and maintain a healthier lifestyle that fits your needs. Although taking an hour out of your day can seem like a nuisance, talking to a health professional can give you strategies to lose weight and keep it off (if that’s what you need) through personalized assessments. They can also help you figure out other ways to be happier and healthier! bit.ly/BC-health-promo
I think I’m over my fear of nuns!
Sceniscophobia is a thing, but an irrational one. Nuns are much much more likely to feed you or teach you something than do anything scary, and BC is a great place to meet them. Western nuns don’t wear the habit since Vatican II, but Asian and African ones often do, and there are lots around campus.
Ha! That’s excellent. I did not know that, and I’ll remind my helper to check their facts a little more closely.
How to stay healthy?
Sometimes you can’t help getting sick, but you probably know the basics of how best to maintain a healthy body: enough sleep, healthy foods, exercise, frequent hand-washing, etc. Why not schedule a coaching session with the Ofc. of Health Promotion (bit.ly/BC-health-promo) to fine tune your prevention?
How do I counteract suicidal thoughts?
I’m sorry you’re having those thoughts. Please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8355) right away, and/or immediately call Counseling Services (617-552-3310) or visit them in Gasson 001 and ask to speak to with the Psychological Emergency Clinician (PEC). Tell them you are having suicidal thoughts. If it’s not during work hours, call BC Police (617-552-4444) if you’re on campus or 911 if not. I and many, many people want you to get past this bad moment, and are ready to help.
How does BC handle student homelessness?
I’m sorry you experienced that. There’s really no need to be secretive or ashamed, and staying in buildings without anyone knowing can be a safety issue. Yes, Student Affairs, especially Residence Life (transitions@bc.edu) and the Student Outreach and Support Services(bc.edu/outreach, student.support@bc.edu) are good places to start, as is the Montserrat Coalition (bc.du/montserrat).
Christmas wishes: Hope we have more UCS and mental health resources on campus & for the general population!
A generous soul receives benefits and wishes the same for others. Merry Christmas, generous human!
I buttchugged my honest tea… now what??
If you really did that, I’d say keep a toilet handy for a while, and in the future, I’d recommend just using the opening in your body nature intended for the intake of food and liquid.
How do I handle a 17-hour flight after drinking 7 cups of coffee???
1. In the airport, buy a decent set of corded earbuds (if you don’t already have some) because you’re going to watch a lot of movies. 2. Wait to board until the last minute, and use the restroom right before you board. 3. On the plane, ask to switch with someone near the restrooms. 4. Tell a flight attendant that you’ve had way too much coffee & you’re not sure what effects that will have on you. 5. Settle in with some really engrossing films until the caffeine wears off. 6. Sleep.
I’m Sad
![I'm Sad --[name redacted]](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/im-sad-answer-wall-post.jpeg)
I’m sorry. It’s a rough time of year. I’m here for you.
I feel so sad all the time and I wish things were just normal again. What can I do to feel better?
I’m so sorry you’re feeling sad all the time. That must be hard. I would begin by setting up an appointment with University Counseling Services: bit.ly/BC-counseling. I hear they’re quite busy, so it might take a while. In the meantime, if your sadness gets to be too strong and you don’t think you can wait to talk to someone, call the counseling center and ask to talk to the PEC (psychological emergency clinician), or text the national Crisis Text Line: 741741.