As historic events unfold, the focus turns to civility, respect and resiliency

Current events in our country have taken a toll on just about everyone. The past few months — and years — have brought a lot of issues to the forefront. Many of those issues have hit close to our homes and even, in some cases, our workplace. 

From injustice, inequality, inequity and the political climate, on top of a pandemic that has impacted everyone in one way or another, there is an emotional exhaustion that is affecting many of us. 

As we navigate these unprecedented times, and manage unexpected emotions and reactions, it is imperative that now, more than ever, we remain united. Michigan Medicine is a community and together, we must continue to reaffirm our commitment to uphold our institution’s core values: Caring, Innovation, Inclusion, Integrity and Teamwork. 

Practicing civility 

As the world witnesses another historic moment with a new president being sworn into office, it is a celebration for some but not for all. All colleagues are encouraged to be mindful and respectful of each other. 

Michigan Medicine is a diverse place that endorses a culture of respect, civility and inclusion. In order to reinforce these values, harassment, discrimination or abusive behavior will never be tolerated. 

We celebrate the diversity of all who work, learn and heal at Michigan Medicine — this includes the diversity of thought and perspective.

We strive to inspire an equitable and an inclusive environment that welcomes and respects individuals from all races, ethnicities, religions, beliefs, abilities, appearances, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. Diversity is at the heart of our values, enhancing our work culture, improving our patient outcomes, and revolutionizing health care, research and education.

All of us are expected to uphold high standards of civility and respect both within the workplace and in our daily lives.

Resiliency is a process

Faculty and staff are also asked to practice resiliency in their daily lives. But what exactly does that mean?

Being resilient does not mean ignoring or suppressing emotions. It means understanding your emotions, processing them and moving forward with peace of mind. It’s not an immediate or overnight process, but with the proper support, acceptance and effort, you may be able to find comfort in difficult situations. 

Major events affect everyone differently, and the pandemic created unusually busy schedules leaving little time to emotionally process what we are all going through. However, the following suggestions are proven ways to help deal with the complex emotions that arise during major events: 

• Step away from work: When major events occur, it can be difficult to concentrate on a project or a task. In some cases, it may be tough to host a meeting. If you find yourself in this position and it’s possible to step away, it may be best to gather your thoughts and gather your thoughts and composure without the distraction of work. Be sure to check with your immediate supervisor/manager to see if you are able to take a break.

• Turn off the TV/social media: With the 24-hour news cycle and round-the-clock internet access, major events can consume you. If you find yourself overwhelmed, stressed, unable to focus or even angry, turn off the TV and close social media applications. Find an activity that will take your mind away from the news and return to your authentic self. 

Resources 

The Michigan Medicine Wellness Office provides centralized coordination of wellness resources and activities, fosters collaboration, and identifies and implements best practices for broad organizational impact.

The Michigan Medicine COVID-19 Stress Resource Team & Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience are committed to helping all Michigan Medicine faculty, staff and families by providing coordinated, compassionate and confidential support. OCWR is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide timely, targeted mental health care. They offer a compassionate space to explore your needs through the magic of talk therapy.

Finally, if you’re looking for a safe place to talk, the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion holds regular Community Conversations. These sessions are not recorded and are usually topic-based and held in response to the current cultural climate. All sessions are listed on the OHEI events page.