March 2, 2021: Mental Health Resources for Faculty and Staff

Dear Faculty,

The global pandemic has resulted in challenges to the emotional and mental well-being of our faculty, staff, and students, and is a growing concern on our campuses. Human Resources has pushed out information regarding mental health resources for faculty and staff, which I include here for your use.

You should have also received a crisis intervention resource packet for students in your campus mailbox. This H.E.R.O. (Helping Eagles Recognize Distress & Offer Support) folder has been designed to assist you in supporting a student or colleague in distress and connect them with the appropriate resources. For those of you currently unable to come to campus, here is the link to the digital version.

At the next Chairs Council meeting, we will be providing some additional information about these resources.

I also hope that you have heard about the ad hoc emotional and mental well-being committee proposed by your associate deans. The committee has three goals: better identify mental health challenges currently faced by the faculty, identify potential practical solutions, and work with a team of chairs and faculty who have experience and expertise in emotional and mental well-being in order to provide realistic and actionable recommendations that (where possible) can be adapted and implemented in cooperation with the University’s administration.

This committee of associate deans is currently working through the first of two phases. Please be on the lookout for messages from them about this process, and please thank them for working at a truly impressive speed.

Thank you for your continued concern and support for our students and each other. Please stay safe.

Sincerely,

Carl L. Reiber

Provost & Vice President Academic Affairs

Last updated: 8/13/2021