If you are struggling with life’s challenges, you can find help here. Support is available year-round for all faculty and staff on every campus and at Michigan Medicine. Helping you know about your resources is a key goal of National Mental Health Month, observed each year in May.

“We are here for you, for all the many ways that mental health shows up in your life,” says Kelcey Stratton, Program Manager, Resiliency and Well-being Services for Michigan Medicine. “Support, being heard, and reaching out can change everything for you. It’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out. We listen, offer guidance, and are here when you need us.”

Like your physical well-being, mental health is a continuum. At any point in time, we all find ourselves at different states of emotional health. Some may be struggling, some of us may be doing okay, and some of us may be thriving. No matter where you are on that continuum, the university offers services that can support you.

Counseling Services for Faculty and Staff

• In-person counseling: Confidential short-term counseling is always available to university faculty, staff, retirees and their adult family members at no charge.

  Michigan Medicine employees can contact the Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience at 734-763-5409 or [email protected].

  Ann Arbor, Dearborn,  and Flint campus employees can contact the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office at 734-936-8660 or [email protected].

Additional Resources to Support Mental and Emotional Health

• Online screenings: Confidential and anonymous online mental health screenings are available any time for conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and more.
• Health plan benefits: All U-M health plans cover mental and behavioral health services like counseling, therapy, and substance abuse treatment.
• Mental and emotional wellness events - There are several support groups available throughout the year for those facing stress or life-changing events. In May there is a series on grief and coping with loss in health care. Departments and units can also request a workshop on a topic relevant to their area.

“We hope that everyone can grow more comfortable with talking about mental health and emotional experience,” adds Stratton. “Just checking in with someone and offering a moment of presence and empathy can be valuable to someone going through a difficult time.”