As we near the end of the year, many are in the mood to celebrate and reflect. It's been a complex 12 months, filled with promise as well as concern. Kelcey Stratton, clinical psychologist, and program manager for Resilience and Well-Being Services in the Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience shares some tips to help you care for yourself and others this winter. 

There is no easy, one-size-fits-all solution for coping with feelings of exhaustion or burnout, but there are things that may help during difficult times.

Please note, the following video is part of the Short Takes “Reflect and Recharge” video series. The series was developed through a partnership between University Hospital and Frankel Cardiovascular Center and the Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience. Focused on building resilience and finding peace in these difficult times, each episode in the series features information, tips, and resources designed to help faculty and staff make time for moments of pause, reflect on their own feelings and needs, and discover ways to recharge. Some of the resources mentioned are specific to the Michigan Medicine community.  

Check-in with Yourself

If you are feeling especially overwhelmed, we are here for you. FASCCO (if you work on an academic campus) and the Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience (if you work at Michigan Medicine) offers online assessments and short-term counseling services at no charge.  You could start with an online screening. It’s confidential and is a good way to quickly check in with yourself.

More Resources

• View more videos in the Short Takes series. 
• The Eisenberg Family Depression Center Toolkit is an online resource from the Depression Center that provides information, tools, and support to guide you through your mental health journey. The Toolkit includes self-assessments, an explanation of available treatment options, tips for coping with a mental illness, and a list of ways to support others and raise awareness.
• The MHealthy Portal is a collection of web-based resources and to support many aspects of your health and well-being, including mindfulness and meditation resources.
• Crisis Text Line® - Text “4UMICH” (for U-M campus faculty and staff) or “UMICH” (if you are a member of the Michigan Medicine community) to 741741 and connect to a trained crisis volunteer. Text responders are there 24/7 for support and to help you sort through your feelings by asking questions, empathizing, and actively listening. You need not be in crisis to use this service for support and there is no charge for this service. 
• SilverCloud is an online mental health tool that offers self-guided programs for anxiety, depression, stress, resilience, or insomnia. Based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles, the self-guided program is available anytime, on any device. Aimed at helping to address mild to moderate issues, SilverCloud allows individuals to manage day-to-day stressors personally and anonymously. Initiated by the College of Engineering, SilverCloud is now available to all faculty, staff, and students at no cost. https://umich.silvercloudhealth.com/signup
• More resources for Michigan Medicine faculty and staff are available at the Michigan Medicine Wellness Office.