Crisis Resources for Employees

As university employees, you may be struggling to understand how the tragic events of Feb. 13 could take place on a university campus and why such a thing would happen. It is typical for people to experience a variety of emotions following such a traumatic event.

Managing Your Distress After a Tragic Event:

You can strengthen your resilience — the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity — in the days and weeks ahead.

  1. Talk about it: Ask for support from people who care about you and professionals who will listen to your concerns. Refer to the frequently updated crisis support page set up in response to the events of Feb. 13 for the latest updates on what is available:
    • Crisis Support and Updates
    • Additionally, MSU faculty and staff who are interested in personal counseling services are encouraged to utilize the MSU Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers free, confidential short-term counseling and referral services for MSU employees and members of their immediate family. To learn more about the team, visit the MSU Employee Assistance Program (EAP) website.
    • The Spartan Resilience Training Program is offering several reflect and connect sessions for MSU faculty, staff, and graduate students in response to the events of February 13th. Click here to register for a time that works for you.
    • MSU faculty, staff and their dependents currently enrolled in an MSU health plan have access to Teladoc—an online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a healthcare professional via web/phone, or mobile app in minutes.
    • MSU faculty, staff and their dependents currently enrolled in Blue Care Network can contact Behavioral Health at 1-800-482-5982.
    • MSU faculty, staff and their dependents currently enrolled in Community Blue or CDHP can speak to a behavioral health clinician by calling New Directions at 1-800-762-2382.

 

  1. Strive for balance.
    When tragedy occurs, it's easy to become overwhelmed and have a negative or pessimistic outlook. Balance that viewpoint by reminding yourself of people and events that are meaningful and comforting, even encouraging. Know that any contributions of your time and resources is deeply appreciated by all Spartans.

  2. Honor your feelings.
    Remember that grief is a long process. You may experience intense stress similar to the effects of a physical injury.

  3. Turn it off and take a break.
    You may want to keep informed, but try to limit the amount of news you take in. While getting the news informs you, being overexposed to it can increase your stress. The images can be very powerful in reawakening your feeling of distress.

  4. Take care of yourself.
    Fuel your body with food, get plenty of rest and build physical activity into your day. Avoid alcohol and drugs because they can suppress your feelings rather than help you to manage and lessen your distress.

    Give yourself time to experience your feelings and to recover. It is typical to expect many ups and downs, including "survivor's guilt" - feeling bad that you escaped the tragedy while others did not. It is important to get professional help if you feel you are unable to function or perform basic activities of daily living.

University Resources:

Staff and Faculty Resources:

Following the February 13 Tragedy: Crisis Support and Updates