In the wake of the election, many counselors have seen an increase in the number of students they’ve seen.
While ETSU’s Counseling Center says they have not seen an increase in the number of students visiting the clinic post-election, universities as far as Florida, Massachusetts and California have.
According to USA Today, Boston University’s Center of Gender, Sexuality and Activism held a “Post-Election Recovery” meeting in addition to releasing a self-care guide.
Lafayette College in Pennsylvania sponsored a discussion about the events that led senior Ryan Cerbone, who is also a gay man, to start a private Facebook group titled “#NotMyPresidentLafayette” to indicate that Trump’s ideologies did not represent those of all Americans.
The Washington Post also reported that the University of California at Berkeley sent out an email with information on available counseling support services.
“…we will be alright because we will continue to strive to build the inclusive community that rejects white supremacy, bigotry and fear; we will be alright because we will express our care for one another in a context of fairness,” said Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, in an email to students.
He goes on, expressing a desire to support those who have been disenfranchised by the results of the election. He also implores students not to give in to cynicism.
However, not all news sources support the initiatives being taken. Fox News, in particular, posted a particularly scathing article on the subject.
“Around the nation, students are turning to the tools of toddlers as a bizarre form of therapy in the wake of Donald Trump’s election last week. Colleges and universities are encouraging students to cry, cuddle with puppies and sip hot chocolate to soothe their fragile psyches,” said Brooke Singman, a reporter at the Fox News Channel, of the trend.
Some of the activities being criticized include “cry-ins,” arts and crafts sessions, bubble blowing activities and play-doh sculpting.
