Financial Wellness involves the process of learning how to successfully manage financial expenses. Money plays a critical role in our lives and not having enough of it impacts health as well as academic performance. Financial stress is repeatedly found to be a common source of stress, anxiety, and fear for college students. With the many changes COVID-19 has brought, we realize that you may be stressing about finances. 
 
Keeping up with these financial responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming, but ignoring them will only increase feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear. With so many things to juggle within a busy academic schedule, adding in some time every day to seek ways to improve financial wellness will help you feel less stress. Keeping track of expenses, making a budget, and sticking to it are important skills to have in order to be finically responsible and independent. 

We’ve compiled some resources below to help support your financial wellbeing during COVID-19 and beyond. We’re working hard to keep you aware of the most up-to-date resources.

University of New Orleans

CARES Act

UNO has established the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund to assist students with urgent financial needs as it relates to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Apply here.

Financial Aid

If you are seeking more information about your financial aid award package through UNO, the best information will come directly from our Office of Student Financial Aid. Check your UNO email regularly and the UNO Student Financial Aid website in the link above.

File for Unemployment 

If your workplace has temporarily closed or you have been told to take unpaid time off, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits through LouisianaWorks. 
To file a claim: click the above link or call 866-783-5567

Apply for SNAP Benefits 

Click on the “How to Apply for SNAP” link for a step-by-step guide on applying for SNAP benefits in Louisiana. Information regarding eligibility and more can be found here.

Food Assistance: 

Ready NOLA provides the most updated information. The calendar brings you directly to meal/pantry location sites and more. 

The LASPCA offers residents of any Louisiana parish access to the pet food pantry. 

Click here for more tips and information on financial wellness.

The University of New Orleans has moved all courses online until further notice. Recognizing that students and faculty did not plan for online courses, the Learning Resource Center is available to support students as they adjust to online learning. We have compiled a plethora of info and tip sheets to help navigate online learning. We've also adjusted our current services and added some additional support, which is outlined in the "Learning Support Services During COVID-19" document below.

Services during COVID-19

This link offers information about the services currently being offered.

Using NetTutor, LRC's Online Tutoring Resource

This is a quick video outlining how to use online tutoring. Math and English tutoring is available 24/7, but that's not all that's offered! Chances are if you're struggling with a subject, NetTutor has someone to help.

Email Etiquette

Learn the proper etiquette when emailing your instructors and peers.

Screencasting for Google

Learn how to screencast from your Mac.

Workspace Tips

Here are some tips to make the best out of your workspace.

UNO Library Database Navigation Sheet

Learn to effectively navigate through the UNO Library's online database.

Online Math Tutoring Schedule

Find out math tutoring times, as well as links to schedule a session. 

Online Learning Tips for Covid-19

Here are some suggestions on how to make the best of taking online courses.

How to make Advising and Pathways Appointments

Here is a short tutorial on how to make appoints for advising or Pathways.

How to Register for Classes

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to register for your classes.

Emotional wellness inspires self-care, relaxation, stress reduction and the development of inner strength. It is important to be attentive to both positive and negative feelings and be able to understand how to handle these emotions. Emotional wellness also includes the ability to learn and grow from experiences. Emotional well-being encourages autonomy and proper decision-making skills. It is an important part of overall wellness. 

Emotional wellness allows you to accept how you are feeling. Once you accept your feelings, you can begin to understand why you are feeling that way and decide how you would like to act in response to those feelings. Being emotionally well grants you the power to express feelings without any constraints. In turn, you will be able to enjoy emotional expression and be capable of forming supportive and interdependent relationships with others. 

We’ve compiled some resources below to help support your emotional wellbeing during COVID-19 and beyond. We’re working hard to keep you aware of the most up-to-date resources. 

Helplines 

Helplines are free, confidential, and available 24/7. 

Keeping Calm during Covid Phone Line 

• Call 1-866-310-7977 if you need help coping with stress & anxiety associated with COVID-19.

SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline 

• Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. 

VIA LINK / Louisiana 2-1-1 

• Call 2-1-1 for information and referrals or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). They offers phone, text, and chatlines that are a safe space for anyone who is going through a hard time, having thoughts about suicide, or just needs to talk.  

*If you or someone you know is in danger or needs immediate medical attention, please call 9-1-1. 

The Trevor Project

• Call 1-866-488-7386 OR text "Trevor" to 1-202-304-1200. LGBTQ-sensitive trainted counselors can be contacted through phone, text or chat. Available Thursday and Friday 3 pm to 7 pm. Use TrevorChat online 7 days a week 2 pm- 8 pm. 

Teletherapy Services 

Teletherapy provides therapy through a live video connection, over the internet.  

Center for Hope  

• Call (504) 241-6006 for free Teletherapy services if you are experiencing stress and anxiety at this time. 

Restoration Counseling

• Call 504-913-5039 or email at contactus@restorationnola.com for COVID Coping Sessions. Clinicians will give strategies for stress management and emotional well-being in the midst of the ongoing pressures. There will be one-time sessions with the ability to re-register up to two times.

Family Justice Center

• Call 504-592- 4005 for free teletherapy services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and child abuse in the Greater New Orleans area. 
• 24/7 Crisis Hotline (504) 866-9554

Psychology Today 

• There are many therapists on this website that provide teletherapy and accept insurance or a sliding scale fee. If you need help navigating this process, please email The HUB at hub@uno.edu. 

TIKES Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

• Free tele-mental health consultation for parents and caregivers. Talk with a consultant and seek support on behavioral and socio-emotional concerns, supporting children during the pandemic, stress and coping, self-care, and other concerns as needed. Schedule a call or video chat.

The Parenting Center at Children's Hospital offers free support on the phone (504.896.9591) or through email to chparentingcenter@lcmchealth.org.

Virtual Support Groups

The New Orleans Grief Center offers free teletherapy group sessions for grief support. 

MHSD's #GetYaMindRight 

NAMI New Orleans will continue to offer Virtual Support groups via Zoom.

Wise Mind Behavioral Health

• Call 504.383.7137 or email wmbh@protonmail.com for a free consultation. Offers general stress management, service industry support group and helping professionals support groups on a sliding scale. 

Broadmoor Improvement Association offers free and/or donation based telehealth counseling. Call 504.233.2296 or email wellness@broadmoorimprovement.com.

Metropolitan Human Services District  offers mental health and addiction treatment to those who are uninsured or Medicaid eligible. Call 504.568.3130 for an appointment.

Meditations 

Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. 

Calm 

• Calm created a free resource page in response to CoVID-19 with meditations, stories, music, talks and more, all hand-picked to support your mental and emotional wellness.  

Headspace 

• These are part of a larger collection in the Headspace app — free for everyone — called Weathering the storm. It includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however, you’re feeling. 

UNO Counseling Services – Online Relaxation Resources

Physical wellness promotes proper care of our bodies for optimal health and functioning. There are many elements of physical wellness that all must be cared for together. Overall physical wellness encourages the balance of physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being to keep your body in top condition. Obtaining an optimal level of physical wellness allows you to nurture personal responsibility for your own health. As you become conscious of your physical health, you are able to identify elements you are successful in as well as elements you would like to improve. Physical Wellness encourages us to care for our bodies through physical activity, proper nutrition, and a strong mind. 

We’ve compiled some resources below to help support your physical wellbeing during COVID-19 and beyond. We’re working hard to keep you aware of the most up-to-date resources. 

Physical Activity

It’s okay to walk, run, or bike outside, so long as you keep a safe six feet from other people. Also, many gyms and fitness instructors are offering virtual classes. 

Free Virtual Yoga 

Yoga with Adriene 

Live Virtual Yoga For Adults + Kids with Alia 

Move Ya Brass 

• They are offering a live virtual yoga-themed workout on Instagram: @moveyabrass  

UNO Counseling Services – Online Yoga Resources  

More Free Exercise  

UNO - Recreation & Fitness Center

• They will be posting daily workouts on their social media pages for the duration of the school closure. Follow the Recreation & Fitness Center Facebook page.

Planet Fitness Workout Videos   

• Facebook Live stream Work-Ins at 6 pm 

Zook Dance Fitness Videos

Meditation 

Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.  

Calm 

• Calm created a free resource page in response to CoVID-19 with meditations, stories, music, talks and more, all hand-picked to support your mental and emotional wellness.   

Headspace 

• These are part of a larger collection in the Headspace app — free for everyone — called Weathering the storm. It includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however, you’re feeling.

UNO Counseling Services – Online Relaxation Resources 

Nutrition 

Boredom and stress eating is a common reaction right now. Your best defense against it is to admit that it’s happening and try to productively channel those feelings elsewhere, whether by venting to a good friend, writing down your feelings, or diving into a good book. 

UNO Privateer Pantry 

• Take inventory of what’s already in your pantry, and then plan around these items to create meals consisting of a starch, a protein, and produce. Follow @uno_privateer_pantry on Instagram for tips on grocery shopping, pantry staples, recipes, and food assistance. 

Mindful Eating 

Shelf-Stable Healthy Eating 

If you're concerned about having healthy foods on hand while limiting your exposure to crowds, these heart-healthy recipes can all be made with shelf-stable ingredients such as: 

• Canned, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables (low or no salt and sugar options) 

• Canned meats like light tuna or white meat chicken (salt-free), packed in water 

• Frozen chicken breast is safe for up to 1-year in a freezer set to zero degrees or below (store as air-tightly as possible to preserve maximum freshness) 

• Dried beans and legumes (or canned with no salt added) 

• Dried whole grains like brown rice and quinoa 

• Dried herbs and spices 

• Shelled eggs 

Social wellness involves building and maintaining healthy and supportive relationships. Our relationships can offer support during difficult times.  

Social wellness can be difficult to achieve while social distancing, but we can maintain social wellness by staying connected with others through online, phone and video chat platforms. Here are some social wellness tips: 

Reflect on your social needs  

• Make an effort to keep in touch with supportive friends and family through video chat. 

• Share your daily experiences online through photos and reflections. 

While staying connected via news stories and media outlets may make you feel connected and “in the loop,” hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting and harmful to your wellbeing. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. It’s important to find a balance between staying informed and taking care of your mental and emotional health.