The UM System EAP Program through Optum is available to all faculty and staff employees and their family members who need support during this difficult time for our city. There are a few different options for support that we want to highlight:
Individual Support
Employees and their family members who would like to speak with someone and receive confidential support without an appointment, can call the 24/7 crisis line, staffed by master’s level clinicians at 866-248-4094.
If in person appointments are preferred, these can be set up with local providers as part of the services provided by Optum. For more information, please visit the UM System Benefits website.
On Campus Critical Incident Debrief Sessions
When experiencing community violence, it is common for individuals to have a wide range of emotional and physical reactions of varying intensity. To provide employees with support, we have scheduled several in-person critical incident group debrief sessions. During the group debrief sessions, you and your colleagues can meet for about an hour with a trained responder who is a licensed mental health clinician. The responder will facilitate discussion and provide resiliency strategies. Participation is voluntary.
Additionally, you have the option to attend an in-person one-on-one consultation with the responder. Consultations are confidential opportunities to develop personalized strategies for resiliency and usually last for about fifteen minutes.
Open Group Session (no registration required)
Room 2246: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Online Resources
Optum also has a variety of online resources, some of which are provided below. Access Optum Wellbeing or Optum’s Live and Work Well (exit UM System site) to learn more. Access Code: UMISSOURI
We have compiled a list of resources to support you below from Optum and other sources.
- Coping after a Traumatic Event
- Talking to Children about the Shooting*
- Building Resilience to Cope with Trauma
- Coping with Trauma
- Encourage Healing After a Disaster
- Understanding Trauma and How to Heal
- Community Violence: Reactions and Actions in Dangerous Times*
- How Managers Can Help Employees Cope with Trauma
*Provided by Dr. Erin P. Hambrick, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Counseling, UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences.
Community Resources
If you or someone you know, even those unaffiliated with UMKC, need immediate emotional support, the Optum Public Crisis Line is open. Call 866-447-3573. Mental health specialists are available Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST. This service is free of charge and open to anyone.