The holidays will undoubtedly look and feel different this year. More Zoom instead of personal gatherings. Toasts through a video screen as we hunker down to say goodbye (and good riddance!) to a challenging 2020. 

As you continue your traditions of gifts, Grandma’s cookies and candlelit nights from a safe distance, it’s still a good opportunity to discuss important topics, such as health and financial matters. A brief family discussion and a bit of planning can save time, energy and heartache in the future.

Are You Coping Well?

2020 will be remembered for a COVID-19 pandemic that necessitated resilience in all aspects of daily life. Challenges continue to affect the U-M community physically, financially and emotionally.

Take a timeout to ask yourself how you’re doing. Have you coped well, mentally, with 2020’s roller coaster of surprises? While you connect over the holidays, don’t be afraid to ask others if they’ve noticed anything of concern, and be sure to share worries you might have for those in your circle. Emphasize kindness and support, as these conversations can be delicate.

U-M offers several programs to assist its community, even if your need is urgent. Many COVID-19-safe services, including virtual visits and online support groups, are available through U-M’s Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) and the Michigan Medicine COVID-19 Stress Resource Team and Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience.

Are You Financially Stable?

Financial health can feed into mental health, so it’s important to get a grip on how the pandemic has affected your budget. Many adjusted to initial lockdowns, child-care and school fluctuations, and job uncertainty when the crisis began. It’s important to evaluate your budget frequently to make sure it’s still covering expenses and you have a buffer for the unexpected, if possible.

Help is available through MHealthy’s Resource Coach program, U-M’s Emergency Hardship program and the Michigan COVID-19 Resource Guide, available in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Have You Completed Advanced Directives?

Do you and your loved ones have a plan for medical care in case of serious illness or injury? Have you talked about who should make medical decisions for your family members, if they can't? Is there documentation, and do all the right people have a copy of it?

Michigan Medicine provides a free, simple toolkit online to help you or a loved one set up what’s known as an “advance directive” about health care. You don't need to be a Michigan Medicine patient to use these materials. One advantage of using the toolkit is that it meets the requirements to be a legal document in the state of Michigan. To get started, download the booklet or visit the Michigan Medicine advance directives page. 

Have You Checked Your Beneficiaries?

Keeping beneficiary designations current is one of the easiest and most important ways to protect your loved ones financially. If you or a family member have experienced a major life event – like marriage, divorce, birth of a child or death of a loved one – check to make sure your beneficiaries are still up-to-date.

Keep in mind that for U-M benefits, you need to designate beneficiaries separately through TIAA, Fidelity Investments and MetLife.

More Resources to Help You Cope

To learn more about what U-M is doing to keep its campuses safe and coping well during the pandemic, please view:

Working at U-M COVID-19 information center
Maize and Blueprint
Celebrate Safely This Holiday Season
Impact of COVID-19 on Service Workers
The Lasting Impact of COVID-19: Joy in a Time of COVID-19