By Elizabeth D. Winkler
College is a time of curiosity, discovering your values, and cultivating your direction in adult life. I have had the honor of working deeply with college women over the years facing stress, anxiety, as well as a multitude of traumatic experiences. The pandemic brought a whole new level of anxiety and a mental health crisis to campuses nationally. Currently many students and families are experiencing deep fear for their safety due to the War in Israel. Many have asked how do we navigate these incredibly difficult times? Fortunately, even in the face of fear, we have timeless tools to navigate the fear we hear, see and feel.
I’m here, as a mental health professional, a mother of Jewish children, and as a human with hope that we can find ways to, as my dear friend and mentor davidji says, transform the world by transforming ourselves. As a psychotherapist and meditation teacher I am always focused on how to heal. How can we transform at this time of intense energy, and overwhelming fear? I always look to the healing and teachings that have endured thousands of years of turmoil, pain and devastation. (more…)