Shock, anxiety, anguish, helplessness, guilt, disbelief, anger, terror -- these are the emotions that members of the Yale community, and, indeed, people around the world, have described feeling as they have attempted to absorb and cope with the terrorist attack on the United States on Sept. 11.
For those who are overwhelmed by such feelings, or just need a sympathetic ear, there are places on campus to turn for help.
In fact, talking to others is one of the best ways of dealing with any kind of crisis or confusion, whether it be a matter of national import or an intensely personal one, notes Dr. Lorraine D. Siggins, chief psychiatrist at University Health Services. (See related story, page 7.)
In response to the national tragedy, the Mental Hygiene Department of University Health Services, the University's Employee Assistance Program and the Chaplain's Office are ready to provide immediate assistance and support to students, faculty and staff, and in some cases have expanded their normal hours.
All of these provide free counseling to members of the Yale community throughout the year, and all will continue in coming weeks to offer support for any kind of personal issue that Yale affiliates may face as a result of the tragedy. Below is a brief description of the counseling services which are available.
Department of Mental Hygiene, University Health Services
The Department of Mental Hygiene offers free confidential mental health services to all students. Students can come to the department with concerns ranging from serious problems such as depression or eating disorders to issues such as family or relationship difficulties, academic stress, and problems with self-esteem or body image.
Students may be seen by the department's professional staff of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers for short-term individual therapy, group therapy, couples counseling, alcohol and drug counseling, and sex counseling. Physicians in the department also prescribe medications, if necessary.
The department also provides consultation to staff and faculty members. When Yale employees need ongoing treatment, the department will make referrals to clinicians in the community.
"We have staff available day and night to help students and other Yale affiliates with any emergency or non-emergency mental health or personal problem or concern," says Siggins, a clinical professor of psychiatry who has been chief psychiatrist in the Department of Mental Hygiene for more than a decade.
"Tragic events such as the Sept. 11 attack on the United States can sometimes exacerbate other stresses people already have in their lives," she adds. "We want people to know that we can be of help whether they are facing momentous events such as the loss of a friend or loved one because of the tragedy, or are experiencing other distress either in connection with the tragedy or unrelated to it."
The department, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, sees over 1,000 students annually. It is located on the third floor of University Health Services at 17 Hillhouse Ave.
For appointments or information, visit the department or call (203) 432-0290. For evening or weekend emergencies, call (203) 432-0123. In response to the national tragedy, the department will also accept walk-ins during day and evening hours for the next several weeks.
Employee Assistance Program
Faculty and staff who need immediate professional help for a personal or job-related problem can turn to the Employee Assistance Program, which was set up by the University over a decade ago.
The program provides up to three free counseling sessions to Yale faculty and staff -- as well as members of their immediate families. These sessions are offered by the program's professional staff, which is affiliated with the Department of Social Work at Yale-New Haven Hospital. All sessions are confidential, and, as the program is provided through an outside agency, the University does not have access to counselors' files, says Bob Prota, manager of the Employee Assistance Program.
At any time, employees can receive help for such problems as marital conflicts and family concerns, personal relationships, alcohol or drug abuse, legal or financial worries, job pressures, lifestyle changes related to divorce, and problems or issues related to illness, aging and retirement, among others.
"Our focus on providing immediate help allows Yale staff to get appointments quickly, and there is always someone on call to deal with an emergency," says Prota.
Counselors in the program also make outside referrals for those whose problems require help beyond the three free sessions, and will also follow up on individuals referred to a community agency or therapist.
According to Prota, reactions such as post-traumatic stress disorder become manifest about six weeks after a tragedy. Staff of the Employee Assistance Program can evaluate such responses and are also able to offer support to help people with bereavement issues.
"Anyone who has lost a loved one -- in this tragedy or apart from it -- can come to us for help as they grieve," says Prota.
The Employee Assistance Program also provides trauma counseling and services to entire University departments or offices which have suffered the loss of an employee through a suicide or another tragedy, and can alert managers and supervisors about what signs to look for as an indication that a staff member is overwhelmed by a tragic event.
"Whatever people need in terms of counseling support, we are equipped to deal with it," Prota says.
Yale employees may seek help through the Employee Assistance Program by calling (203) 688-2256 7 a.m.-
6 p.m. In an emergency or a crisis situation after 6 p.m., call (203) 688-2222, identify yourself as a member of the Yale University Assistance Program, and ask for the social worker on call.
University Chaplain's Office
Since the attack on American citizens, members of the University Chaplain's Office, Yale Religious Ministries and the Church of Christ in Yale have been talking to students and staff throughout the Yale community and have led
or participated in special vigils or other events where
people have gathered to show their solidarity or share their feelings.
Throughout the year, the Chaplain's office provides counseling of both a spiritual or pastoral nature, as well as general counseling about any issue of concern to students, faculty or staff. The office can also make referrals to outside counselors and can direct Yale students to the campus ministries that represent their particular religious traditions or denominations.
"The stunning events of Sept. 11 have changed life for all of us," says the Reverend Frederick J. Streets, University chaplain. "In such an unsettling time, our students, staff and the members of our wider community are forced to ask or reflect on fundamental questions concerning good and evil, peace and war, life and death, and may find themselves questioning their own faith or spiritual beliefs. We can provide help with particular religious, theological or spiritual questions, as well as any other personal issues or problems that people face. For some on campus, the attack has resulted in great personal loss. Naturally, we are here for those who are experiencing such shattering grief."
Streets is also a clinical professor in social work at the Child Study Center who has used his own training in psychotherapy and trauma to work with people in war-ravaged Bosnia. His background in this area is beneficial to those on campus who seek his help with personal trauma. The Chaplain's office also can make referrals to community clinicians.
For the past couple of years, Associate University Chaplain Cynthia Terry has led bereavement groups for students who have suffered the loss of a loved one. This semester's group met for the first time on Sept. 19, but new members are encouraged to join the second meeting, on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The group will run for six weeks, through Oct. 24, in the Branford College Fellows Lounge, at the base of Harkness Tower. After the second meeting, the group will be closed to new members.
"This group is for students who want to talk with others about living with loss and grief following the death of someone significant," explains Terry. "Both undergraduate and graduate students of any or no religious background are welcome."
Terry says that if there is enough interest, she may also begin a bereavement group for faculty members and staff.
For more information about the Chaplain's Office and its counseling services, call (203) 432-1128. Its regular hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; however, in the wake of the tragedy, the office will respond to any emergencies outside of normal hours.
Other services
Walden Student-to-Student Counseling is a crisis and non-crisis counseling service provided by professionally trained peer counselors for Yale students in need of help with emotional, social or academic problems. Student counselors maintain strict confidentiality. Yale's Department of Mental Hygiene provides some of the training for counselors, who are also well-informed about other counseling services at Yale and in the wider community. Located in the basement of Welch Hall on the Old Campus, Walden is open seven days a week for walk-in counseling 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Phone-in counseling is available 8 p.m.-8 a.m. The telephone number is (203) 432-4477.
Many members of the Yale faculty are affiliated with the psychiatry departments in New Haven hospitals. The telephone numbers for these facilities are as follows: Connecticut Mental Health Center -- Information, (203) 974-7414; Yale-New Haven Hospital (203) 785-2618; and Hospital of St. Raphael (203) 784-8700.
-- By Susan Gonzalez
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