Don’t forget–May 30th is the last day to register for the roundtable! Visit HECMA Conference to learn more and to register.

1. Red RocksRed Rocks has tons of things to do, from hiking to concerts, all while enjoying an amazing view! For those of you who love the outdoors this is the place for you.
2. Botanic GardensThe Denver Botanic Gardens has tours, concerts, and a science pyramid. Take a stroll and enjoy the beautiful scenery during some of your down-time at the roundtable.
3. Rockies GameAre you a sports fan? The Colorado Rockies will be playing home games at the tail end of the conference for those who want to enjoy some peanuts and Cracker Jacks!
4. Comedy WorksComedy Works is located right near campus and hosts comedians both new and famous every night of the week.
5. Union StationUnion Station is a 100-year old historic landmark that houses shops, bars, and restaurants. They offer high-end food choices to those that are simple and quick and there is a beautiful “indie” bookstore for you readers visiting the area.
6. Elitch Gardens Theme ParkDo you love roller coasters and water rides? Then Elitch Gardens Theme Park is for you! There are thrill rides and family rides, so everyone should be able to find something that meets their comfort level.
7. Denver Art MuseumCurrent exhibitions include contemporary art and an upcoming Western exhibit just in time for the roundtable–tickets are only $13 and there is so much to see!
8. Denver Museum of Nature & ScienceThe Denver Museum of Nature & Science has an IMAX theater, planetarium, and there is currently an exciting new Vikings exhibit! For those of you going solo and those who may have family tagging along, this is a fun option to spend some of your free time.
9. Molly Brown HouseAccording to its website, “Historic Denver’s Molly Brown House Museum is among the most visited historic sites in the state of Colorado, and one of only a handful of sites nationally dedicated to the interpretation of a woman’s story.” The cost is $11 for adults and $9 for teachers and educators, so bring along your university ID!
10. BreweriesIf there is one thing Denver is famous for, it is all of the amazing breweries! The city is frequently ranked as one of the top cities for craft beer–touch base with some of our amazing hosts at the roundtable and find out their favorite places to go and where you can get the hoppiest IPA or best hefeweizen around town.

The post HECMA’s (More than) Five for Friday: Fun Things You Can’t Miss in Denver appeared first on HECMA.

1. Build your networkHECMA’s greatest strength is our membership. Whether you are communicating through the listserv or benefiting from the generosity of others through the library, we are an Association built on the work of many. It’s no secret that we are a small field, and spending time and learning from professionals who do similar work gives us the chance to meet, connect in person, forge relationships, and grow and develop our own professional practice.
2. Learn from national expertsHECMA is fortunate to have grown large enough to have the resources to host nationally recognized leaders in the fields of threat assessment, violence prevention, and case management. This year, Dr. Marisa Randazzo, a national expert on threat assessment and targeted violence, will provide our keynote. She previously served for ten years with the U.S. Secret Service as their Chief Research Psychologist, directing all Secret Service research on school shootings, insider threats, stalking, and other types of targeted violence. Additionally, this year representatives from Maxient and Advocate Symplicity will be present to share information about their platforms with interested parties, and NaBITA representatives will be there to present on their threat assessment tool, SIVRA-35, and to present a case law update on legal issues that impact our work. Where else will you find a such talented, experienced, and qualified group of experts all in one place to discuss topics that directly impact YOUR work?
3. Attend educational sessionsYour colleagues across the country are doing amazing work, and are willing to share it with you! This annual conference is the only one that focuses exclusively on case management, and presenters often share freely of their methods, resources, and example policies and procedures that you can take back and adapt on your own campus. The Roundtable also offers chances to connect more informally with presenters and other attendees, so you have ample opportunity to touch base with presenters at other times for more information or to establish a more personal relationship.
4. Explore a new cityBecause the Roundtable location changes each year, there is always a chance to go somewhere new. The Roundtable committee makes a considerable effort to build both a comprehensive and robust schedule, while balancing opportunities for personal time to explore what our host city has to offer. Denver in particular boasts a wealth of attractions, shopping, and arts and culture activities available. You can explore some of these here: https://www.denver.org/things-to-do/
5. Reignite a passion for your workAnd lastly, it’s nearing the end of our academic year. We are all tired, as are our students. It becomes easy to forget why we do this work in the first place. Attending the Roundtable is a time to focus on ourselves, our professional development, our skillset, and reignite a passion for our work.

There is still time to register for the annual conference and pre-conference sessions. For the five reasons above, and more, I hope you will consider joining us in Denver. For those of you who have attended before, what are your top reasons to attend the Roundtable? Please comment below!

Sincerely,
Katherine Zilmer

Senior Assistant Dean of Students
Behavioral Intervention Team Case Manager
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The post 5 Reasons to Attend the HECMA Roundtable appeared first on HECMA.

Spring has arrived and we have four positions up for re-election. If you have served on a committee or want to get further involved in shaping our field, consider putting your name on the ballot. Here are are a few more reasons why you run for an office:

Give Back to the Community. Have you benefited from the work of those that came before in HECMA. From the Roundtable offerings? From the work of others found in the library? From the shared response on the listserv? What better way to pay it forward than to bring your talents to HECMA. , Serving as a Leader on HECMA allows the opportunity to make decisions and develop initiatives that will have a positive impact on everyone.

Learn or Expand Leadership Skills. Serving on an association leadership group can teach you more than what you imagine. It gives you a chance to hone leadership skills, take charge of issues and work with others to fix them. In your current position you may not be in charge of others; but by leading a committee and completing tasks and projects, you can demonstrate those skills for any next step in your career. Through sharing you vision for the field and the responsibility for the associations strategic initiatives with others, you will learn balance, patience, and collaborative teamwork. Plus enhance your sense of irony and humor.

Meet your “Neighbors”. As a HECMA member we have the opportunity to build connection s across North America through our listserv or roundtables. As a Leadership Team member you are a point person for that community building. Through Leadership service, HECMA becomes an even greater place to meet your “neighbors” and to know more about them and the gifts and talents they bring to our field.

Contribute to Best Practice Recommendations. And have some fun. By serving on as a Leadership Team member, you can broaden your awareness of trends in higher education; as well as relevant regulations and standards. Taking on some projects or tasks does not have to be a boring. It can be fun, especially when you get to socialize, work with your “neighbors” and come up with creative ideas on how to make our association run better.

Applications for Leadership Candidates are now being accepted. Voting starts soon!

JJ Larson
President, HECMA
Leadership@hecma.org

The post Why should you serve on the HECMA Leadership Team? appeared first on HECMA.

If I could give three pieces of advice:

• You can always go home. In my family that means that fear of failure should not dictate your decisions.
• You will be __________ either way. You will be older, busier, stretched no matter what decision you make. So you might as well be better educated and preparing for your next opportunity.
• You will need a team.

You can always come home. I joined the University of Tennessee in 2008 after having worked on an inpatient psych unit, a sexual assault center, and with international child protection. I remember my interview with the Vice Chancellor of Student Life like it was yesterday. He was discussing the role, expectations and the emerging field of Case Management. I was thinking to myself, even if I could pull this off for only a year, I would get a full week off at Christmas for the first time in my adult life. I took a deep breath, reminded myself of my mother’s mantra – you can always come home – and answered confidently that I could do the job (fingers crossed).

You will be 38 either way. Fast forward five years, two kids and more than a full time job as the Director of the Center for Health Education and Wellness. The University’s College of Social Work invited applications for the inaugural class of the Doctorate of Social Work Program. By now, I knew that I wanted to be in higher education. I knew to grow in higher education most positions required a terminal degree. I said to my mother, “I will be 38 when I finish.” She accurately replied, “You will be 38 either way.” Over the course of three years, there were times I doubted myself more than I ever have doubted myself. There were times that I thought I could not go one step further. There were days that I drank too much coffee and cried at my desk. But, I did it. I turned 38, got a doctorate and had a third baby within 4 months of each other.

You will need a team. So here is what I would tell you, if you are considering another degree, you can do it. Without doubt, if you are an effective Case Manager in Higher Education – you have the ability. AND you will need to ask for and accept help. Case Managers have a tendency to want to do and be everything. In fact, it is why we are good at our jobs. But this leap, will take a team. My colleagues proof read my papers. My supervisor brought two bean burritos with extra sour cream every Sunday at lunch to my office. My husband entertained, dressed and distracted our girls. My friends forgave me and loved me from afar when I had no time for a social life. My classmates inspired me, challenged me and became my second family. My mom made food, did laundry, and when I needed it reminded me why I made this commitment.

Congratulations on being at a place in your life where further education is possible.

Dr. Ashley Blamey works for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as the Director of the Center for Health Education & Wellness and was the inaugural president of HECMA from 2012 to 2014.

The post Navigating Work and School: One HECM’s Advice on Getting Your Terminal Degree appeared first on HECMA.

1. Apps:
   I used to work at Apple as a family room specialist (code for person who repairs devices). As a result, I got used to keeping my eyes out for great, new apps that could help make my life easier. Our students are certainly smart when it comes to their devices and typically don’t need help finding the newest “thing”, however many may not have ever considered downloading apps that could contribute to their positive mental health.One great app that exists for this purpose is Pacifica. Pacifica is a free app that offers tools for dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression and an online support network of other users. It’s CBT focused for those clinical folks out there!

   Another app that I highly recommend is Headspace. Headspace focuses on mindfulness and helps teach the user in short increments. I tell students that even if they are incredibly busy, they can find ten minutes a day to do a session. It is free but you can pay a yearly subscription fee to gain access to more modules (though there are more than enough free ones that are great). I personally use this one regularly and adore it!

2. Online Crisis and Counseling Services:
   Like I said, our students have not lived in a world without smart devices. Many of the students I meet with express discomfort in the idea of talking to someone face-to-face in therapy or may even have telephone anxiety. One of the coolest resources out there is the Crisis Text Line. This resource, supported by the JED Foundation, allows individuals to text the word “START” to the number “741-741” and start talking to a live trained counselor for free 24/7.Another online crisis tool is IMALIVE. It’s free resource for individuals to speak to a trained crisis counselor, however at this time it is only available during certain days and times of the week.

   As for non-crisis resources, I used to volunteer for 7 Cups of Tea. This is another confidential and free online tool (that also has a rad app) for individuals to speak to a trained listener. It is not a tool for crisis help, but is great for our students who want someone to talk to but may be afraid to do so face-to-face.

3. Online Scheduling:
   I have discovered in my student outreach attempts that students are more likely to schedule and attend a meeting with me if they are able to set up their appointment via a website, rather than if they have to call. With that, I began using an online calendar tool to allow students the freedom to create appointments at their leisure. I personally use Calendly because it is free and works with Outlook (which is the platform my institution uses for email and calendar). Calendly permits you to create multiple appointment types, which is really helpful if the length of your appointment is based on the appointment type. Many of the advisors on our campus use SuperSaaS–this tool is convenient for students because they can sign up to get text message reminders, however there is a fee associated with the institution or individual who wants to use the service.There are so many services out there and many work better with Google calendars specifically. I recommend doing a quick Google search or to ask for recommendations in the comments of this blog post!
4. Texting:
   Have any of you noticed that students rarely respond to emails or phone calls and nine times out of ten they don’t even have voicemail set up on their phone? I quickly discovered in this work that the best way of reaching a student quickly (especially if there is a concern and you cannot locate an emergency contact number) is to text message them. I use Google Voice, which allows me to set up a separate number that I can use to text and call students. I am able to turn on “Do Not Disturb” when I am not at work and all of my calls and messages (both text and voicemail) are saved in my email for documentation purposes later. The iOS app is great and makes it incredibly easy to text and make calls via that number on your cell phone. The Android app is a bit more cumbersome, but still easy to use. I love this tool so much that I have convinced most of our division to do the same! If you don’t want to try Google, AIM also allows you to text students free and anonymously.
5. Electronic Referral and Intake Forms:
   Chances are most of us already use online referral forms. If you don’t, I highly recommend it! I request that every referral come through this method, so if a professor or parent calls about a student of concern I listen and consult with them and then request that they fill out the form so that I can fully document the report as well as ensure it is in their words (you can find mine at www.utc.edu/studentofconcern). It is also helpful to talk to your IT department and see if you can have the form located at its own URL. As you can see, mine above is relatively easy to remember. However, when you click on it you can see that the full Maxient URL is far longer and more complicated. You are able to create referral forms in both Maxient and Advocate, but if you are using a different platform you may have to get creative! Think about creating a Google form if your particular software system doesn’t offer this feature.

Outside of the referral form, I use an online intake form which has significantly cut down on my paper use in the office. The intake form automatically creates a report for me with the student’s information in Maxient that I can then use to update their case notes, etc. (I did the same thing when our university used Advocate) Students appreciate that it seems somewhat advanced, especially when they use an iPad to fill it out as they wait. If you have any questions on how to develop your own, please feel free to reach out!

Have you found any other great resources? Share them in the comments or by emailing me at Jennifer.E.Henkle@gmail.com

Jennifer Henkle (she/her/hers) works for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as the Assistant Dean of Students and Case Manager. Connect with her on Twitter: @jennifa1987 When she’s not there, find her on her on Facebook or connect via LinkedIn.

The post HECMA’s Five for Friday: Five Techy Resources for Higher Education Case Managers appeared first on HECMA.

Case Management can be a complex field and sometimes difficult to market to our surrounding community. Often, we face challenges such as lack of buy-in, budget, or manpower. Here at the University of Central Florida (UCF), our Care Management staff has put in hours, days, and years to get to the level of marketing that we have reached today. We have a smaller staff, started with a modestly low budget, and have grown leaps and bounds beyond where we’ve started. We provide non-clinical case management to over 700 students each academic year, and our numbers continue to grow. We also oversee a campus-wide caring initiative (UCF Cares) with a team of 20 student ambassadors to help spread the word about our support services. Here are some tips to remember for marketing your area and showing your institution what you’re all about! Our goal is to ensure that students don’t fall through the cracks and that our campus community has the knowledge and skill set to demonstrate care and comfortably make a referral to our services.

1. Stay Focused and Consistent:
   Make sure that your area or initiative has a specific mission and/or goals. Focus on communicating this clear and specific message to your community. What is your office name? What services do you provide? How can you be reached? Do you have a tagline that makes sense? Keep it simple. ​Our staff visits as many academic or student affairs departments we can throughout the year. We do this annually to ensure they know our names and faces, what our area provides, and how we can work with them. We also make sure to be present at student and parent orientations, and often table regularly outside of our office with giveaways. We stick with the common theme logos, even if our content changes. Make sure to always put the logo on everything you create.
2. Partner:
   Never underestimate the power of a good partnership. Our office has teamed up with other leaders on our campus such as Housing and Residence Life, the Recreation and Wellness Center, Counseling, Health Services and more! These offices partner with us to make up our UCF Cares initiative team to provide programming and support for students. Because we all have the same goals for the safety and well-being of students, we share in a lot of things; programming efforts, marketing, services, and even monetary resources. We have been able to provide more programing and marketing materials by teaming up with other offices who generate their own funds because we share the workload and a common goal.
3. Increase your reach:
   Social media is your friend! We encourage everyone we meet to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. We share valuable content such as scholarships, programs, university resources, job opportunities, and puppy pictures-everything you need as a college student. Our UCF Cares Ambassadors fill the gap with student to student outreach. They host educational and social events throughout the year to spread the word. We have also worked with students to create marketing videos for our office for students, faculty, staff and parents to get to know us a little better. We also offer trainings to student groups, faculty and staff, Resident Assistants, and present at orientations.
4. Get Creative:
   Research what resonates with students, what has worked well at other institutions and your community, and put your own twist on it! Don’t have a creative bone in your body? Team up with someone who does. For example, our university marketing team created a spin-off of the how are you feeling today? poster that people love! They provided us with swivel cards with various emotional faces and tips on how to deal with students experiencing the coinciding concern. The phrase From Caring Comes Courage can also be seen on many student and staff t-shirts at UCF which was another popular marketing campaign. We also repurposed some older lengthy Emergency Guides and transitioned them into quick glance resources and support tips and contacts for student concerns. These were provided at Faculty orientations and directly to departments.What kind of support can you get at no cost? Think: Interns, student ambassadors, a Facebook page
5. Customer Service matters:
   Referrals are at the crux of the work we do on a daily basis. If the campus community doesn’t understand or trust what we do, the referrals won’t come in. The majority of our initial growth was from faculty and staff who had positive experiences with making a referral to our office. They were able to find out, either from speaking directly with care manager or through website FAQ pages, what to expect from a referral. They felt involved in the process, which led to telling their peers about our services. Take the time to develop simple talking points or website information that will quickly convey what the reporter can expect.

Hopefully these tips will give you some inspiration on creating a brand and marketing your area! Happy New Year!

Blog Post Written By:

Angela Newland, Care Manager, University of Central Florida
Ann Marie Palmer, Associate Director, University of Central Florida

The post HECMA’s Five for Friday: Five Keys to Successfully Marketing your Case Management Office appeared first on HECMA.

Here are 5 Tips that may not wholly rejuvenate but may help create space for the 3 R’s.

1. Read for pleasure[Case Managers like] Teachers don’t get many chances to read for leisure during the school year. If there aren’t papers to grade [or referrals to process], often other materials are required reading for work. This year, pick out a few books that you would like to read during the break—whether they are education related or purely for fun. Whatever you choose, make sure that you can finish it before returning to school. Not being able to finish a book can be as stressful as not starting at all.
2. Try yoga, meditation, or another restorative techniqueWinter break is a great time to try yoga, meditation, or other relaxation practices. Without the day-to-day stress of being at school, you’ll be calmer and much more likely to start a practice that will actually become habit. If you don’t want to spend much money or make a commitment, lots of yoga studios offer free introductory classes or even a regular by-donation class. There are also lots of free apps for meditation available to download and use at your convenience.
3. Make travel easierA lot of people have to travel over the holidays; entire books have been written about the stress that can cause. Instead of flying during the peak days and times, try to plan your travel on dates that are less busy. If you’re driving, take your time and plan stops along the way to see (and enjoy) the sights. Too often, we are focused on the destination. Think more about the journey to make this year’s holiday travel a more relaxing experience.
4. Make time for yourselfDuring breaks, many teachers feel guilty if they don’t spend all of their time with their family. However, winter break is just as much about recharging as it is reconnecting. So, don’t feel bad about setting some boundaries and dedicating time for yourself to rest, pursue your interests, or get together with friends. The children will have plenty of new toys to keep them busy.
5. Expand your craftSome people just can’t stop becoming better teachers, even for two weeks. For them, rejuvenation might mean getting excited about the upcoming semester instead of setting aside thoughts of school. If you fall into this category, take the time to investigate new classroom tricks or strategies to try out in January. That first ring of the school bell after break will sound that much sweeter if you have exciting new ideas to put into action.

May the Winter Break bring You Space and Time for Yourself.

(even if its wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff)

JJ Larson
President
Higher Education Case Managers Association

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As positions are created and added it is important to provide thorough and appropriate training and orientation. Whether you are a case manager in a newly created position or the person hiring additional staff members, we think the below steps are essential to “on-boarding” new staff.

1. Meet campus partners:Coordinating efforts across campus is an integral part of a case manager’s job. In an effective system, one should not be contacting campus partners to coordinate services “in an emergency.” Creating and fostering relationships should happen in advance and be ongoing.

   When on-boarding a new staff member, create (or develop for yourself) a list of essential campus partners and set up individual meetings with each person/office. This provides new staff the opportunity to meet campus partners as well as learn their way around campus.

2. Set aside time for research and review:Familiarity with resources and processes is another key element for a successful case manager.It’s easy to succumb to information overload when in a new position.Set aside specific time with specific topics for research and review for new staff members.A great place to start is the “recommended resources” section of the HECMA website.The HECMA Library (available to HECMA members only) has even more resources.
3. Provide case studies/reviews and/or shadow meetings:Learning in a vacuum can be boring and lack context.Engage your new staff in case studies and/or permit him/her to shadow meetings.Even if your staff is not new to case management, he /she is probably new to your institution and/or office.Help them learn how your system works and cases are processed.An additional benefit to this is that you may learn something in the process.A new set of eyes offers a new perspective.

   If you are in a brand new office/position and there is not previous precedent set, utilize case studies with your campus partners and/or BIT to learn. This is a great way to further relationships and develop the BIT.

4. Have a project to “own”: We all have that stack of “to dos” to get to once things slow down. Empower your new staff to help with that. What better way to learn your system, meet campus partners and become fully integrated? As a supervisor, you’ll need to provide the appropriate guidance and tools but then let the new employee fly.Examples of projects could be:
   1. Website updates
   2. Format and process updates to alert software system
   3. Creation of/edit a rubric
   4. Updates to presentations

   If you are in a brand new office this is probably the easiest task as there may be no processes, systems, forms, etc. even developed yet. Try not to become overwhelmed with creating it all now. Work with your team and supervisor to prioritize projects and then work from there. Utilize the HECMA library to find examples and guidance.

5. Integration into campus/departmental community:This is fairly standard for a new employee at any organization. The value of organizational and departmental orientation should not be undervalued. Some of the most important relationships with organizational partners can be made via orientation and training. These gatherings are usually quite diverse in their make-up and provide a brief exposure to a variety of topics.

In 2013, HECMA established a definition for case managers in higher education; “Higher Education Case Managers serve their University and individual students by coordinating prevention, intervention, and support efforts across campus and community systems to assist at risk students and students facing crises, life traumas, and other barriers that impede success.” (HECMA 2013) If you and/or your staff are not fully oriented to your larger campus systems, how can you support students effectively?

Does your larger office or division host informational meetings and/or social gatherings? If so, plan to attend and encourage your staff to do the same. Are there committee opportunities within your organization that need members? These are great opportunities to work on various projects and engage with offices and individuals on campus you might not normally.

Most campuses also have an HR office that offers training and development beyond new employee orientation. Take advantage of those (often free or low cost) professional development opportunities.

Before engaging in campus committees and/or other activities, I recommend developing a sound professional development plan and schedule expectations. Although it’s important to be involved that should not occur at the expense of core job functions or “just because.” Figure out what time permits and your goals require first.

Even if we have not hired or trained new staff, we have all been new employees at one point or another. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments on other important components of “on-boarding” new staff. What did you find helpful (or unhelpful)? Let’s do what HECMA does so well, and engage in conversation and learn from one another.

Therese Y. Smith
Membership Director, HECMA
Director, Community of Concern Team
University of Kentucky

The post Five Ways to On-board New Staff: HECMA’s 5 for Friday appeared first on HECMA.

Here are 5 tips for making the most out of your summer while working full time:

1. Eat lunch outsideLeave your desk or the University dining area and escape to the outdoors. Spend an hour listening to the birds, reading your favorite book, or enjoying this glorious weather. Feeling really outdoorsy? Bring a blanket and have a picnic on a grassy area on campus.
2. Walking GroupYou are not the only one who is yearning for that summer air. Invite a colleague or two to take walks with you around campus. This will not only lift your spirits but will also integrate exercise into your daily routine.
3. Outdoor MeetingsAs Case Managers we often handle highly sensitive information when working with students. However, there have been many times when I have offered students the opportunity to meet with me outside and they have welcomed the opportunity. I will often offer this opportunity with students that are doing well and are meeting with me to check in; knowing that the content of our meeting will be low intensity. Many of our students have busy lives and also miss the opportunity to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.You can extend these outdoor meetings to University staff; they too would enjoy the opportunity.
4. Arrange for an office picnic or BBQNothing says summer like a BBQ! Pick a mutually agreed upon time with your colleagues to BBQ or picnic on campus during lunch. This will give you the opportunity to take advantage of a typically slow time of year to re-connect with colleagues. Positive relationships with colleagues positively contributes to our own work performance and keep us energized.
5. Head to the Beach (or your favorite outdoor spot)Pack a bag (beach bag, if the beach is where you’re heading) and go! It typically doesn’t get dark until 8pm, so spend the last hours of daylight at your favorite outdoor location. Enjoy some after work tranquility and get the most out of your Summer!

Lauren Strunk
Case Manager, Student Affairs
Office of the Vice President
Florida Gulf Coast University

The post HECMA’s 5 for Friday: 5 Ways to Enjoy Summer at Work appeared first on HECMA.

As members of the profession, Higher Education Case Management, we have a connection to tragedy, loss and mass shootings that is undeniable. Our field grew as a direct response to the Virginia Tech tragedy in 2007. Not the first, not the last; but at that time, the worst. Since that event and in response to the Review Panel’s recommendations, colleges and universities have continued to hire behavioral health and student affairs professionals to assist campuses in identifying and responding to students who struggle, students in distress, and with great hope to intervene early to prevent further tragedy.

Over the past year as President of HECMA, I have reached out to more of our colleagues than I had ever envisioned. Communities and Campuses impacted by the behavior of one or several; and with motivation ranging from significant illness or self-injury to violence and power to intolerance and hate. As HECMs we stand in support of the survivors and the communities who have been impacted by the actions of others. We extend our allegiance to the LGBTQ community; and endeavor to fight hate with love. We honor all communities, Latinx and Muslim included, who are devastated and hurting. And we appreciate the stories of heroism that emerge; send gratitude to the first responders who take in so much to protect, serve and heal; and our hearts ache for the families and friends that struggle to understand. The recovery process is a tangled web of emotions and responses; as individual as those who experience them. At HECMA we have reached out to our Florida colleagues to offer support and encouraging words as they embark, with their campuses and communities, on this unexpected and unwanted journey.

Here are but a few links to resources and information that might be helpful for you and your campus communities:

• American Counseling Association: Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting
• American Psychological Association: Managing your Distress in the aftermath of a shooting
• The Mayo Clinic: Helping children cope: Tips for talking about tragedy
• Human Rights Campaign: Remember Their Names: Honoring the Lives of the Orlando Victims

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” ― Albert Camus

The post From Desolate Winter to Invincible Summer: Coping in the Aftermath of Tragedy appeared first on HECMA.