Crisis and Grief
Contact Us
Sometimes life hands us a rough patch -- a difficult situation involving emotional upheaval, personal or family crisis, illness or a health scare, an accident, or perhaps the death of a loved one or friend. It's important to remember you don't have to face these challenges alone. Mason has information and resources to assist you.
Find out more by calling our office at 703.993.2600 and asking to speak with a member of the Employee Relations Team or by sending an email request to hr@gmu.edu.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Benefitted employees have the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as part of their benefits package. Your EAP can assist you on a range of life topics including stress, parenting and marital issues, financial or legal challenges, career planning, depression, anxiety, or grief and loss. They are available 24 hours a day to help you find the resources you need. With any situation, the first four visits are covered and are at no cost to you.
You can read more on the Employee Assistance Program page.
Stepped Mental Health Care Program
The Center for Community Mental Health offers a Stepped Mental Health Care Program, designed to provide evidence-based support through a structured, three-step approach:
Emotional Support Line: A telephone helpline available 7 days/week from 8:30am-8:30pm, using an evidence-informed approach to address acute issues, with screening for problems that require more intensive treatment.
-
- English: 703.215.1898, daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Spanish: 703-914.3878. daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Skills-Based Therapy: A 3-session telehealth intervention for adults only, using an evidence-informed approach to addressing mental health problems, with continued screening for problems that require more intensive treatment. These 3 sessions are FREE to Mason affiliates & $35 per session for individuals unaffiliated with Mason.
Longer-Term Therapy: Upon completion of the 3 session skills-based intervention, a referral for additional sessions of therapy (via telehealth or in-person) with a provider from the CCMH may be offered. Additional sessions are available on a sliding fee scale, based on income.
To learn more or request these services, visit the Stepped Mental Health Care Program page.
Grief Resources
- Working Through Grief (American Hospice Foundation)
- Grief and Loss (AARP)
- The Experience of Grief (Mason HR summary)
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides mental health and learning services to students. Faculty and staff can consult with CAPS for guidance regarding a student with mental health concerns.
In the Event of Death
In the event of a death of a family member or a Mason employee, please visit our In the Event of Death page for more information.