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Welcome – We are so glad you’re here.
We know this year was full of new things: unprecedented times, social distancing, hybrid learning, kids in masks, quarantine.
And next year, there will likely be more new things to manage: learning loss, reintegration, resilience, and recovery. Unfortunately, we don’t know what this coming year will look like. There may be masks, quarantines, COVID variants, all of which will impact you both personally and professionally. Once again, there will likely be more unpredictability and changes.
How are you supposed to manage it all? We think we can help.
This site is dedicated to helping Colorado’s educational workforce. We have put together resources to help process last year, plan for next year, and have the support to get through it all.
Here are some of the services we offer:
- Well-being support line (for confidential venting, validation, problem solving, and resources). Call or text 303-724-2500. Hours: Monday-Friday 9-7, Saturday 9-11 am; Sunday 4-7 pm.
- An Online Support Program to learn more about stress, trauma, depression, wellness. We offer skills, strategies, and resources for both you and your students. As you view the lessons, you have access to live, real-time coaching from one of our Crisis Counselors. They will answer questions about the lessons and help you to develop your own resilience and recovery plan. Click here to register for access to this program.
- Individual and Group support services. We offer 3-6 individual support sessions with follow-up as needed, psycho-educational groups, school-based workshops, and mutual-aid support groups. For individual support sessions, call or text 303-724-2500 for more information. Click here for the monthly group schedule. All group participants are eligible for professional development credits. All support services are confidential.
- Ask-a-therapist line. Need help supporting the mental health needs of your students? Wondering about mental health interventions you can use in your classroom? You can speak directly with one of the members of our child/adolescent team who can help you navigate behaviors in your classroom and recommend resources for your students. Call 303-724-2500 and let them know you would like to speak to a child therapist for help with a student.
All of these services are free of charge to Colorado educators.
You’re not alone.
We have been hearing from educators all around the state about how difficult this past year was. We’re also hearing some fears about going back. Here are some statements from teachers that may resonate with you (and remind you that what you’re feeling is expected for this time).
I feel like a bad teacher. I don’t know what I am doing. Everything is new and changing and I sometimes blame myself for not keeping up.
I don’t know if I can go back. I tried to go to the store and the back to school supplies were out. I couldn’t even enter the store, how can I go back into the classroom. Last year was so hard, I can’t do a year like last year again.
I am overwhelmed. I can’t keep up. I can’t do multiple lessons and teach in two different places (remote and in-person) again. Something has to change.
I still need to feel safe. I live in a community that has never taken this seriously. I want to be with the kids, but I also want to feel safe too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up?
It depends on what service you want. For access to the website and online resources, you only need to register by clicking here. For anything else, you can send an e-mail to contact the Well-Being Support Line at 303-724-2500 and they will help you figure out the right service and get you connected.
How much does this cost?
All services are free. There is no cost to you. We are funded through grants from the Office of Behavioral Health, Colorado Department of Public Health, and the Colorado Education Association.
Who is eligible to receive these services?
There are only two criteria to receive these services: you must be employed in a school system and live in Colorado. You do not have to be a classroom teacher, only work with the school or childcare system. We work with teachers, but also support staff, administrative staff, mental health staff, Early Childhood Educators in public, private, and charter schools across the state.
Who provides these services?
This program is through the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Psychiatry. The programs are developed and overseen by CU faculty members. The treatment services and Well-Being support services are provided by crisis counselors, all of whom are either licensed clinicians or working on completing their Master’s Degree in counseling, social work, or psychology. All services are supervised by a licensed mental health provider.
I live in rural CO and can’t come to campus in Aurora – can I still participate?
Yes! All of our services are provided via telehealth, so no need to be in the metro area.
Can I get Professional Development Credit for participation?
Yes! We offer Professional Development and CEU credits for the workshops and online programs.
Are all these services confidential?
Yes, everything is confidential. We will collect information for registration and evaluation purposes, but your information will never be shared. We will provide aggregate information about usage, but no private information will ever be shared.
About Us
This program was developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent social distancing orders. Recognizing that educators would be in need of additional support during this time, CU’s Department of Psychiatry began the educator Well-Being Support Line. For the past year, we have been providing crisis support and resources to Colorado educators.
Special thanks to our partners: Colorado Education Association; Colorado Department of Public Health – Colorado Spirit Program; Partners for Children’s Mental Health; Office of Behavioral Health. We also want to extend a very special thank you to all the educators who reviewed content, provided feedback, and shared their stories.