LEXINGTON, Ky. — It’s almost turkey time and soon many will gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. While food is the main course at any family gathering, family discussions that arise at the dinner table may cause stress among family members with different viewpoints.

What You Need To Know

  • Many UK students will be spending the holidays in their hometowns 

  • TRACS stands for Triage, Referral, Assistance, and Crisis Support

  • TRACS associate director, Tomerial Brooks says to set boundaries on conversations involving politics, religion or sexual orientations 

  • Brooks says to have a form of support system

We’ve all heard it, never discuss politics, religion or finances at a family get together, but we’re all human and sometimes these topics come up. If they do, Tomerial Brooks, a licensed social worker and associate director of the University of Kentucky’s TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance, and Crisis Support) hub says to put yourself first. TRACS is a one-stop hub for students needing help located in the east wing of the Gatton Student Center.

It’s a one stop shop where students can come for referral to supportive services in housing, rent utilities and food or clinical support for a range of mental health needs. Brooks said students can come to TRACS before or after any major family gathering during the school year.

“There’s a lot of resources across this campus and TRACS wants to help students navigate those resources in a way that feels easier for them,” Brooks said.

Brooks says often students go into breaks with anxieties around engaging with certain family members on various topics.

She says family members should set goals for those unpleasant conversations, and sometimes talk less and listen more to hear someone else’s opinion fully. But do what’s healthiest for you at that moment.

“Setting boundaries in advance and those boundaries can be with yourself. It could be with family members; that could look like how long we’re going to let this conversation go on and where you’re going to draw the line,” Brooks said.

For many LGBTQ+ students, Lexington and UK might be a more welcoming atmosphere than their hometown. Brooks said to have support if you’re an LGBTQ+ student and are going home for the holidays. 

That support can be friends or an accepting family member. She said even one person can be a support system during the breaks.

 

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