Dear campus community,
Recent reports from the news media have described a tragic COVID-19 crisis unfolding throughout India, one involving human suffering and pain both within the country itself as well as with victims’ family members and friends around the world. This includes a significant population of Asian Indian internationals and Asian Indian Americans who are a part of the SJSU community.
The pain and distress, I know, is very personal to some of you. I understand that some faculty and staff members, as well as our Asian Indian International and American students, have lost family members, while others are terrified for parents and friends.
While those colleagues, students and friends here at SJSU may currently be with us physically, there can be no doubt that their minds and hearts are in India or other parts of South Asia, waiting for news and praying for better outcomes. Making matters worse is the fact that the pandemic has left some international travel unavailable, leaving many to grieve and worry in isolation, disconnected from their social networks, family, and friends. As a caring community, it is our responsibility to reach out and connect and provide as much support as we can locally, even as COVID-19 affects so many in other parts of the world.
Infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, unevenly impact different parts of the world and reflect our planet’s deep inequities. As we mourn those in South Asia, it is clear that other parts of the world – communities across Central and South America are also seeing large outbreaks – with far less access to the medications than we have produced in the United States will see similar conditions to those in South Asia. This is a human rights issue and access to health is a basic right that we have to support collectively, even as we also try to provide a basic sense of community and care for those immediately impacted. We grieve and mourn all of the lives lost to COVID-19 over the course of this pandemic, and the pain and suffering it continues to cause families, loved ones and communities.
As always, SJSU has resources available for our students and for our employees should members of the Spartan community experience emotional distress or trauma. Detailed information of our resources is listed below.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mary A. Papazian
President
SJSU Resources
For students:
International students who need assistance regarding restrictions on travel and other issues can find resources from SJSU’s International Students and Scholars Services.
If you have a mental health emergency and need immediate assistance please contact Counseling and Psychological Services. There is always a staff member available to assist you. Please call 408-924-5910 or visit us at sjsu.edu/wellness. All of our services are being offered online through confidential video or phone sessions.
For after-hours emergencies, please call 911. If you live on campus, please call campus police at 408-924-2222. You may also call our main number 408-924-5910 after hours and press 4 to connect with the after-hours crisis service.
Santa Clara County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7. In addition, you may send a text for help: Text HOME to 741741. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365.
For employees:
Counseling for Faculty and Staff
Visit LifeMatters® online for more information. Password: SPARTANS
To speak to someone from LifeMatters® confidentially, call 800-367-7474.
Santa Clara County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.
In addition, you may send a text for help: Text HOME to 741741. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365.
Our best resource during difficult times can often be our own peers, friends and colleagues. I remain grateful to the many students, staff, faculty and administrators who support and advocate for each other.