28 | NOVEMBER 19 • 2020

A

s University of
Michigan students,
we have experienced
many stressors driven by the
pandemic including the adjust-
ment to online school, cancel-
lations of milestones and loss
of various experiences.
We are Sarah Wish — a
University of Michigan senior
from New Jersey who was
abruptly sent home from
her study abroad program
in Denmark — and Marissa
Levey — a recent University
of Michigan graduate who lost
her last two months of senior
year including her graduation.

Through our own research
and conversations with
students, we realized that
students everywhere were
struggling. With no central-
ized resource to specifically
support students, students did
not have a way to navigate
the constant influx of news

and spread of misinformation
during this time. We decid-
ed to create an Instagram
account — sponsored by New
York City-based Mount Sinai
Health System — dedicated
to supporting students during
the pandemic.
The Instagram account,
@covid19studentsupport, is a
platform committed to sup-
porting students, by students,
during the pandemic. Even
though we are U-M students
from New Jersey, our content
is geared to support all stu-
dents of all backgrounds from
all campuses during these hard
times. We aim to share scien-
tific evidence-based COVID-
19 information, to support
student mental and physical
well-being, and to address
common student questions
and concerns about the virus.
We hope this account gives

students a way to navigate
this trying and unprecedented
time, by acknowledging the
challenges our peers are facing
and promoting ways to cope
with these difficulties.
We aim to specifically
address the unique stressors
this demographic faces with
content geared toward all stu-
dents and young adults. Our
account provides mental and
physical health support, with
posts about telemedicine ser-
vices, destigmatizing mental
illness, and free resources for
improved sleep and physical
activity, just to name a few.
We also share unique ways to
connect with loved ones who
are physically distanced, such
as virtual games to play and
virtual date ideas.
Additionally, we promote
ways to shape our individ-
ual perspectives on the cir-

cumstances impacting our
age demographic, including
the cancellation of summer
internships or the uncertain-
ty about the pandemic. We
also post funny an d relatable
tweets and memes each week
— because we all need come-
dic relief.
We are so grateful for the
success of our account thus
far. With more than 2,000 fol-
lowers, our content has gener-
ated support from numerous
colleges, health professionals
and Hillels across the country.
If you’
re a student or young
adult interested in learning
how to support their mental
and physical wellbeing in
quarantine, give us a follow
@covid19studentsupport on
Instagram! Everyone is strug-
gling in their own ways, but
know you are not alone in
facing these challenges. @

Two Jewish U-M students start Instagram account dedicated
to supporting students during the COVID-19 crisis.

Sarah Wish & Marissa Levey } jewish@edu writers

Supporting
Each Other

Sarah Wish
Marissa Levey

for college students
by college students