Resources for Teaching After Crisis

"Grief is the normal response of sorrow, heartache, and confusion that comes from losing someone or something important to you. Grief can also be a common human response after a disaster or other traumatic event. This tip sheet contains information about grief, the grieving process, and what happens when the process is interrupted and complicated or traumatic grief occurs. It also offers tips and resources for coping with both types of grief." "Tips for Survivors: COPING WITH GRIEF AFTER A DISASTER OR TRAUMATIC EVENT" a 4-page PDF from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is attached. This artifact is one of a collection of evidence-based resources for educators coming back to class after collective tragedy compiled by Spartans: Jason Moser (Professor of Clinical Science, Cognition, and Cognitive Neuroscience in MSU's Department of Psychology & PhD Psychology | Clinical Science) Jon Novello (Director of MSU Employee Assistant Program & Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Mark Patishnock (Director of MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services [CAPS] & Licensed Psychologist) Joshua Turchan (Assistant Director of Training, Assessment and Planning at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) Karen Stanley-Kime (Assistant Director of Intensive Clinical Services at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) and more throughout University Health and Wellness departments.

"Coping with a Traumatic Event" from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services & Center for Disease Control offers an overview of what a traumatic event is along with some common responses. The resource specifically outlines the three broad categories of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and offers specific suggestions for ways adults and caregivers can cope. It is important to recognize that there are limitations to health coping on your own, and many instances of traumatic events/PTSD need support from medical professionals to heal.

"Many people experience a traumatic event during their lifetime. Over the course of the last few years, reports of mass violence and shootings have plagued the news. Although people are resilient and often bounce back after difficult times, these events nearly always interrupt our sense of order and safety. The impact often extends to individuals who live far outside of the affected area with no personal connections to the event. This is especially true when the event is human caused with the intent of harming others. The following resources are taken from the American Counseling Association (ACA) to cope with the aftermath of a shooting." You can access "Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting" shared with MSU by Lyra Health via the 1-page PDF attached below.

"What Happens After a Trauma? Understanding Natural Recovery vs. PTSD" is a fact sheet from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies which provides an overview of how people are affected by trauma, factors that help people recover naturally, and treatments for those who do not recover from symptoms of PTSD naturally. (2-page PDF) This artifact is one of a collection of evidence-based resources for educators coming back to class after collective tragedy compiled by Spartans: Jason Moser (Professor of Clinical Science, Cognition, and Cognitive Neuroscience in MSU's Department of Psychology & PhD Psychology | Clinical Science) Jon Novello (Director of MSU Employee Assistant Program & Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Mark Patishnock (Director of MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services [CAPS] & Licensed Psychologist) Joshua Turchan (Assistant Director of Training, Assessment and Planning at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) Karen Stanley-Kime (Assistant Director of Intensive Clinical Services at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) and more throughout University Health and Wellness departments.

Returning to the Classroom After a Tragedy: A 7-step Approach to Starting Class Again This week, faculty, instructors, and graduate assistants will be returning to their classes for the first time after the tragic events of this week. There will be some classes where they have lost one of their classmates, which may add to the intensity of the experience of both students and instructors. Included in the resource attached (3-page PDF) are recommendations for how to structure the return to class for your students and yourselves, with trauma-informed considerations and practices. This artifact is one of a collection of evidence-based resources for educators coming back to class after collective tragedy was compiled by Spartans: Jason Moser (Professor of Clinical Science, Cognition, and Cognitive Neuroscience in MSU's Department of Psychology & PhD Psychology | Clinical Science) Jon Novello (Director of MSU Employee Assistant Program & Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Mark Patishnock (Director of MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services [CAPS] & Licensed Psychologist) Joshua Turchan (Assistant Director of Training, Assessment and Planning at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) Karen Stanley-Kime (Assistant Director of Intensive Clinical Services at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) and more throughout University Health and Wellness departments.

"Adjusted Syllabus" by Brandon Bayne of UNC - Chapel Hill (spring 2020) Shared with our community by Dr. Alyssa Dunn in the 02/17/2023 Rebuilding Hope webinar. Webinar details can be accessed here: https://iteach.msu.edu/iteachmsu/groups/iteachmsu/stories/2469?param=post

"Kognito for Faculty & Staff—How to talk with students who may be in distress Students today face increasing pressures that can lead to emotional distress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even thoughts of suicide. As faculty and staff, we can take small steps that make a big difference. MSU has adopted an online conversation simulation, Kognito for Faculty & Staff, to help us learn to notice signs of distress, use techniques to discuss our concerns, and, if necessary, refer students to appropriate resources. Kognito for Faculty & Staff lets you practice these challenging conversations at your own pace through role-play with virtual students."

"The recent shooting has been an extremely frightening experience, and the days, weeks, and months following can be very stressful. How long it will take to cope depends a lot on what individuals experienced during and after the shooting, including whether they experienced physical injury, involvement in a police investigation, worry about the safety of family and friends, and loss of loved ones. In the aftermath, it’s often difficult to figure out where to begin. Over time, many people will return to normal routines. We also know that for some people this will be more of a struggle. You may need to know if what you’re experiencing is a common reaction to these types of events. Reactions generally diminish with time, but knowing about them can help you to be supportive of both yourself and others you know affected by the shooting." The National Child Traumatic Stress Network shares an overview of what students could be experiencing (including but not limited to posttraumatic stress reactions, grief reactions, depression, and physical symptoms) as well as physical, emotional, and social ways to enhance coping in "College Students: Coping after the Recent Shooting". This artifact is one of a collection of evidence-based resources for educators coming back to class after collective tragedy was compiled by Spartans: Jason Moser (Professor of Clinical Science, Cognition, and Cognitive Neuroscience in MSU's Department of Psychology & PhD Psychology | Clinical Science) Jon Novello (Director of MSU Employee Assistant Program & Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Mark Patishnock (Director of MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services [CAPS] & Licensed Psychologist) Joshua Turchan (Assistant Director of Training, Assessment and Planning at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) Karen Stanley-Kime (Assistant Director of Intensive Clinical Services at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) and more throughout University Health and Wellness departments.

While this resource is from the Office of Student Life Counseling and Consultation at The Ohio State University (Adapted and used by permission of Dr. Joan Whitney, Director of Villanova University Counseling Center), "Dealing with the Aftermath of Tragedy in the Classroom" provides 12 actionable steps for educators to consider when coming back together with their students after a collective tragedy. (1-page PDF)

The WOCI and the English Department will be co-hosting a workshop on trauma-informed classroom techniques for graduate students on Tuesday, February 28th at 1pm via Zoom. This is a follow up to the discussion that was held on February 17th (Feminist strategies for teaching during a crisis). All are welcome. Dr. LeConté Dill, who will be facilitating the workshop, will be paying particular attention to how womxn of color navigate teaching in the days and weeks following a traumatic event. This workshop aims to provide a space for graduate student instructors to learn how to show up for their students with a politics of care and a particular sensitivity to what students have just been through here at MSU. A flyer is attached for your review. Please share broadly. Register for the workshop here or using the following link: https://msu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMod-yhrzgrGtH-58qoyfRfyVv4Og- Please email Dr. Delia Fernandez-Jones (dmf@msu.edu) and Dr. Kristin Mahoney (mahone95@msu.ed) with any questions.

"Reflect & Connect: Navigating Life and Work Effectively in Challenging Times" by MSU's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers self-care strategies (such as a 3-breath reset) as well as components of emotional wellness at work. Check out the 2-page PDF attached to learn more!

"Posttraumatic Stress Among Students After the Shootings at Virginia Tech" (Hughes et al., 2011) provides a discussion of findings from a cross-sectional survey of Virginia Tech students the summer/fall following the April 16, 2007 shooting of 49 students and faculty using the Trauma Screening Questionnaire to assess PTSD symptoms. The 9-page PDF article from Volume 3, Number 4, of Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy is attached below. This artifact is one of a collection of evidence-based resources for educators coming back to class after collective tragedy was compiled by Spartans: Jason Moser (Professor of Clinical Science, Cognition, and Cognitive Neuroscience in MSU's Department of Psychology & PhD Psychology | Clinical Science) Jon Novello (Director of MSU Employee Assistant Program & Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Mark Patishnock (Director of MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services [CAPS] & Licensed Psychologist) Joshua Turchan (Assistant Director of Training, Assessment and Planning at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) Karen Stanley-Kime (Assistant Director of Intensive Clinical Services at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) and more throughout University Health and Wellness departments.

"In the Eye of the Storm: Students’ Perceptions of Helpful Faculty Actions Following a Collective Tragedy" by Therese A. Huston (Seattle University) & Michele DiPietro (Carnegie Mellon University) looks at the ways instructors respond following a tragedy, as well as student reactions to the variety of most common actions. Abstract On occasion, our campus communities are shaken by national tragedies such as hurricane Katrina and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or by local tragedies such as the murder of a faculty member or student. Because these are unusual circumstances, faculty are often initially confused about how to respond, and later have little or no sense of how effective their actions have been (DiPietro, 2003). This paper investigates the most common instructor responses following a tragedy and which of those responses students find most helpful. Implications for faculty and faculty developers are discussed.

"This study investigated the role of resilience and gratitude in the relationship between trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress (PTS), and posttraumatic growth (PTG) following the campus shooting at Seattle Pacific University. The prevalence of community traumatic events such as school shootings has increased dramatically in the last decade. However, a significant number of individuals report positive changes such as enhanced appreciation for life, suggesting that some people are able to convert adverse experiences into personal growth. The purpose of this study was to understand characteristics about trauma and protective characteristics that contribute to PTG." Vieselmeyer, J., Holguin, J. & Mezulis, A (2017). The role of resilience and gratitude in posttraumatic stress and growth following a campus shooting, Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 9(1), 62-69. This artifact is one of a collection of evidence-based resources for educators coming back to class after collective tragedy was compiled by Spartans: Jason Moser (Professor of Clinical Science, Cognition, and Cognitive Neuroscience in MSU's Department of Psychology & PhD Psychology | Clinical Science) Jon Novello (Director of MSU Employee Assistant Program & Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Mark Patishnock (Director of MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services [CAPS] & Licensed Psychologist) Joshua Turchan (Assistant Director of Training, Assessment and Planning at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) Karen Stanley-Kime (Assistant Director of Intensive Clinical Services at MSU CAPS & Licensed Psychologist) and more throughout University Health and Wellness departments.