Vanderbilt Faculty & Staff Health and Wellness

The Coronavirus pandemic has been traumatizing and 2020 has been an exhausting year. As a result, many have been living much of the time in "survival mode." Anxiety, fear, and trauma interrupt our ability to readily access our frontal cortex. This is the part of our brain that controls our cognitive skills including problem solving, memory, and emotional expression. It serves as the brain's "dispatch center." When functioning in survival mode, it is harder to focus, prioritize, and effectively manage conflict. This can impact an individual's productivity.

​We often find ourselves walking by someone and casually say, "How are you doing?" and we fully expect that they will answer, "Fine," and we will both continue walking. Somehow, these days seem different. Vanderbilt's Work/Life Connections-EAP gives some tips on how to check in on your friends and colleagues in this time of greater stress.

Social media and news coverage of shootings, bombings, protests, sexual assaults, and other events has been graphic and intense. In general, experiencing violence can result in serious psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While people may not develop a psychological disorder after hearing first-hand accounts or viewing graphic, real-time images of these events, people do experience strong emotions, such as fear, sadness, grief, and anger.

The Winter Holidays are a time of anticipation and meaning for many. They remind us of our family traditions, our childhoods, and an array of expectations. This year, COVID-19 will also change our holiday celebrations. Vanderbilt Work/Life Connections-EAP shares some ways in which you can navigate the holidays, and manage the negative feelings which this holiday season may bring.

October is Depression Awareness Month. Now more than ever, it is important to take stock of your mood and mental health. Learn the signs and symptoms of depression, and the resources available to you.