The end of the Fall Term is approaching fast! Final exams, assignments, and those dreaded group projects are right around the corner. If you’re able to see beyond that, there are also potential holidays or celebrations that you and your loved ones might be planning. We’re all familiar with the image that is projected about the holidays – lots of food, family, presents, and activities. It’s portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But for some, the reality of the end of term and the holidays can be very different.
Many factors can impact how we feel and what we do to cope with pressure or stress as we approach the end of the term and holidays. Stress and stressors look different for everyone, but can include:
Financial stress
Family connection or disconnection
Housing insecurity
Food insecurity
Maintaining sobriety
Maintaining an image or self-esteem through gifts and celebrations
Celebrating holidays when your culture, religion, or traditions are not Christian – including fearing discrimination
(American Psychological Association, 2023)
Even reading that list can be anxiety inducing! But, one of the important things to know is that you're not alone and help is available!
Below are resources that might help you find help, or connect you to people who can direct you in the right direction for help
Helps youth between 13-24 experiencing homelessness through an Emergency Youth Shelter, Transitional and Rapid Rehousing Programs, and Cornerstone Group Home
Runaway, locked out or youth experiencing homelessness can gain access 24/7/365 to short-term shelter and supportive services including case management, access to health care, meals and short-term housing
American Psychological Association. (2023, November 30). Even a joyous holiday season can cause stress for most Americans [Press release]. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress
Greater Chicago Food Depository. (n.d.). Chicago’s food bank: Programs and food to end hunger. https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/
Housing Action Illinois. (2020, March 10). Report: Affordable housing scarce in Illinois, census to affect related programs. https://housingactionil.org/blog/2020/03/10/report-affordable-housing-scarce-in-illinois-census-to-affect-related-programs/
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Illinois state fact sheet: Mental health in Illinois. https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IllinoisStateFactSheet.pdf
United Way. (n.d.). Understand the consequences of insufficient income: The state of ALICE in Illinois. https://www.uwcil.org/ALICE#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20of%20Illinois's%20nearly%205.1%20million,in%20Illinois%20were%20below%20the%20ALICE%20Threshold
The end of the Fall Term is approaching fast! Final exams, assignments, and those dreaded group projects are right around the corner. If you’re able to see beyond that, there are also potential holidays or celebrations that you and your loved ones might be planning. We’re all familiar with the image that is projected about the holidays – lots of food, family, presents, and activities. It’s portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But for some, the reality of the end of term and the holidays can be very different.
Many factors can impact how we feel and what we do to cope with pressure or stress as we approach the end of the term and holidays. Stress and stressors look different for everyone, but can include:
(American Psychological Association, 2023)
Even reading that list can be anxiety inducing! But, one of the important things to know is that you're not alone and help is available!
Below are resources that might help you find help, or connect you to people who can direct you in the right direction for help
(United Way, n.d.)
Options for help
Elmhurst University - Financial Aid
Find out how to apply for aid to reduce the cost of tuition, scholarships, and grants
People’s Resource Center – Financial Assistance/Social Services
Information on how to apply for emergency financial assistance
Note: DuPage residents only
Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance
Offers a range of assistance, including:
Note: only open to Elmhurst residents or members of an Elmhurst Covenant church
All Chicago - Emergency Financial Assistance
Offers different programs, such as:
FindHelp
Enter your zip code to find local resources
(Greater Chicago Food Depository, n.d.)
Options for help
Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry
Serving residents of Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Berkeley, Hillside, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, and Villa Park
Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance
Visit Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance to obtain a voucher to the Immaculate Conception Parish Food Pantry.
Note: only open to Elmhurst residents or members of a Elmhurst Covenant Church
West Suburban Community Pantry
Walk in or make an appointment to shop at the pantry in Woodridge
In person, online, and senior delivery options available
Note: DuPage and Will County residents are prioritized
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Enter your zip code to find food banks and other help resources close to you
Northern Illinois Food Bank – Get groceries and resources
Enter your zip code to find food banks and other help resources close to you
(Housing Action Illinois, 2020)
Options for help
DuPagePads
Offers emergency, interim, and empowerment housing options
360 Youth Services – Housing
Helps youth between 13-24 experiencing homelessness through an Emergency Youth Shelter, Transitional and Rapid Rehousing Programs, and Cornerstone Group Home
The Harbour – Emergency Shelter
Runaway, locked out or youth experiencing homelessness can gain access 24/7/365 to short-term shelter and supportive services including case management, access to health care, meals and short-term housing
Metropolitan Family Services – Family Shelter Services
Offers support, including emergency shelter, for those affected by domestic violence
Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet - Kathy Paulsen Hope House
Offers housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness
(National Alliance on Mental Illness, n.d.)
Hotlines
Call or Text 988
998 LifeLine - 24/7 free, confidential
Call, text, chat, and hearing impaired options are available
Text REACH to 741-741
Text, chat, and WhatsApp options are available. International support is also available
Family Shelter Services: Metropolitan Family Services Hotline
Call 630-469-5650
24/7 and confidential
Assists with shelter, orders of protection, how to identify abusive behavior, and more
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233
24/7 and confidential
Call, chat, and text options are available
YWCA Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline
Call 800-293-2080
Call or chat options are available Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. Must be 13 or older to use chat
RAINN
Call 800-656-4673
Call, chat, and text options are available
HelpGuide - Mental Health Hotlines
Enter your zip code to find mental health hotlines and other help resources relevant to your location and situation
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): DuPage
Offers a variety of services including in-person and Zoom based support groups covering topics such as:
Elmhurst University - Counseling Services
Elmhurst University provides individual therapy and support groups free of charge by appointment only
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people
Chat, call, and text options are available 24/7
References
American Psychological Association. (2023, November 30). Even a joyous holiday season can cause stress for most Americans [Press release]. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress
Greater Chicago Food Depository. (n.d.). Chicago’s food bank: Programs and food to end hunger. https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/
Housing Action Illinois. (2020, March 10). Report: Affordable housing scarce in Illinois, census to affect related programs. https://housingactionil.org/blog/2020/03/10/report-affordable-housing-scarce-in-illinois-census-to-affect-related-programs/
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Illinois state fact sheet: Mental health in Illinois. https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IllinoisStateFactSheet.pdf
United Way. (n.d.). Understand the consequences of insufficient income: The state of ALICE in Illinois. https://www.uwcil.org/ALICE#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20of%20Illinois's%20nearly%205.1%20million,in%20Illinois%20were%20below%20the%20ALICE%20Threshold