COVID-19 Emotional Support

Learn more about Chico's On-Site Counseling Services for employees, extended through June 2023.

This time is troubling for all of us. The uncertainty of the situation, the changing home life for many, the concern for those in the community who are facing the risks of the virus every day all contribute to these feelings.

Please remember that the Employee Assistance Program (password: csuchico) remains available, not just for emotional support and counseling, with a wealth of additional resources.

Live Webinars & Virtual Classes

• TBA.  Check for CSU LiveStream(opens in new window) presentations hosted by the Chancellor's Office. 

Articles & Readings

• Returning to work: How listening can help(opens in new window) (SmartBrief Article)
• Renewing Friendships After COVID-19 (PDF) (LifeMatters article by Empathia)
• Addressing Your Emotional Wellbeing(opens in new window) (LifeMatters online by Empathia)
• Want to Get Unstuck? How Science Can Help(opens in new window) (Knowledge@Wharton, University of Pennsylvania)

De-Escalation Tips

• De-escalation Techniques(opens in new window) (6 min. video from the Crisis Prevention Institute)
• The 3R Method for De-escalating in the COVID-19 Era(opens in new window) (Myra Golden, YouTube)
• Do These 3 Things to Immediately De-escalate(opens in new window) (Myra Golden, YouTube)
• Find more tips on myragolden.com/blog(opens in new window) or search for Myra Golden in LinkedIn Learning(opens in new window)

Tips for Managers

• Self-Care for Managers (PDF) (LifeMatters article by Empathia)
• Facing Virtual Team Challenges(opens in new window), 27 min. (CSU Learn bundle: Working Virtually for Team Managers)
• Establishing Effective Virtual Teams(opens in new window), 30 min. (CSU Learn bundle: Working Virtually for Team Managers)
• Leading Virtually: Vulnerability and Presence when Working from Home(opens in new window), 27 min. (LinkedIn Learning) 

MyLifeMatters service has a special  hub of COVID-19 resource topics(opens in new window) including:

• Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic Resources(opens in new window)
• Webinars(opens in new window)
• Developing Resilience(opens in new window)
• Resources for Spanish-speakers(opens in new window)
• Support for Employees & Managers Working Remotely(opens in new window)
• Supporting At-Home Children(opens in new window)
• Financial Stress & Stability(opens in new window)
• Addressing Your Emotional Wellbeing(opens in new window)
• Support for Older Adults(opens in new window)
• COVID-19 materials quick list, by topic(opens in new window) (including, "Returning to Work During COVID")
• and more

We encourage all employees to take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program and explore all of the benefits available to you.

• Service Options(opens in new window) - services are available to the employee and anyone in the employee's home, including roommates and family
• Counseling(opens in new window) - LifeMatters (by Empathia) is still servicing calls (and requests for counseling referrals) from our employees 24/7, including Spanish interpretation, via its main line: 800-367-7474. They will provide referrals to counselors so long as the provider lives within the state of CA and has a secure platform for both phone and video meeting services.

See all webinars...

Finding "Silver Linings" and Building Resilience, provided by LifeMatters (1 hr., 2020)

• As we emerge from the pandemic, it's a perfect time to reflect. In the midst of some of the biggest challenges our world has ever faced, what about you? What have you discovered about yourself? What "silver linings" might you've uncovered this year? Have you re-prioritized your life, found creative ways to stay physically active or new coping strategies that you'd never tried before? This session focuses on hidden treasures uncovered during COVID-19 and ways to continue to build resilience as we roll through 2021.

Parenting in a Pandemic, provided by LifeMatters (1 hr., 2020)

• Challenges for parents abound. During COVID-19 parents have been thrust into uncharted waters as they try to not only remain valued employees but help navigate their children's education and social and emotional well-being. This session focuses on helping parents more successfully navigate all that is before them.

Self-Care for Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic(opens in new window) (1 hr., 2020)

Cultivating Our Best Selves in Response to COVID-19(opens in new window) (1 hr., 18 mins., 2020)

• Presented by Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW and co-founder of the Trauma Resource Institute, and Linda Grabbe, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC. This presentation focuses on the Community Resiliency Model ("CRM") for self and others to remain calm amid many unknowns. 

COVID-19 Facts you Need to Know(opens in new window) (49 mins., 2020)

• This spring 2020 webinar includes two sections: the first 28 mins are facts and information about COVID-19 (e.g., signs and symptoms, how to protect yourself, etc.), while the second part discusses the emotional impact of the virus and how to handle stress and anxiety you might be feeling. Webinar by Dr. Ellen Content.

The campus Work-Life Balance While Working Virtually(opens in new window) web page provides links to CSU Learn, LinkedIn Learning, and articles. These resources address the emotional impact of COVID-19 and working virtually.

The California Childcare Portal(opens in new window) has been created to help families working in essential fields (such as health care, police, postal services, grocery, and emergency services) find licensed childcare in their area during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The site is easy to use by just typing in a zip code for a result of childcare centers and homes that are currently open, their capacity, licensing history, and other useful information for choosing care.