UMD Welcomes New Program Manager to the Faculty Staff Assistance Program

UMD Welcomes New Program Manager to the Faculty Staff Assistance Program

By Dylan Lewis

We are very excited to welcome Dr. Tonya Phillips, the new Program Manager for the Faculty Staff Assistance Program. The Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is a free and confidential assessment, referral, coaching, consultation, and short-term counseling service available to all full and part-time employees of the University of Maryland.

FSAP staff are trained to provide support and guidance for a wide range of personal and work-related issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, work-life balance, and substance abuse. Counselors are also available to meet with departments for a debriefing following a death or other traumatic event. In addition to counseling services, the FSAP offers educational resources and training programs to support employee well-being. These resources include workshops on stress management, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence, as well as online resources and self-help tools.

The FSAP program is available to all full-time and part-time faculty and staff members, as well as their eligible dependents. The program operates during normal business hours and hopes to offer after-hours support in case of emergencies in the future. While employees tend to use the program for an average of three visits, they are able to work with employees for up to ten sessions per concern. FSAP is also working on producing a robust resources tab on their website for people who need asynchronous assistance, or who may not yet feel comfortable coming in and speaking with someone.

We spoke with Dr. Phillips to learn more about her goals in the position. Phillips is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of professional practice experience in organizational psychology, as well as experience in research, teaching, supervision, and community service. Phillips is also an alumna of the University System of Maryland, having received her master’s degree in social work from UM Baltimore.

Tom Ruggieri, Phillips’s predecessor in the position, worked as Program Manager for the FSAP for 35 years before retiring. Phillips is excited to sustain the amazing work the FSAP has been doing, while also broadening the scope of what the FSAP does and who it serves. An important goal for Phillips is to debunk some of the myths about the FSAP by emphasizing how the program functions as a resource available to all faculty and staff, not a punitive or disciplinary department people are only referred to. “We are a service hub, here to form collaborative relationships and help people through challenging situations. We want to connect people to the resources they need to process and normalize real life experiences like stress and anxiety,” Phillips emphasized.

Some of the challenges facing faculty and staff right now include anxieties surrounding reintegration to campus after the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and 2021. “We were all shocked when we were pulled out of work, now we are shocked coming back. It is normal to have stress about something like this happening in your professional life,” Phillips says. Seeking help with stress, anxiety, or other invisible illnesses can be especially difficult not only due to the societal stigma surrounding mental health disorders, but also because faculty often do not know how to process feeling overwhelmed or defeated when such feelings are so contrary to their professional identity, education, or success. The FSAP is a resource for UMD faculty and staff members who may be dealing with these challenges.

Phillips also recommends a variety of wellness strategies, even for those who may not be feeling like they are struggling with workplace stress or anxiety. These strategies include getting out of your office for a quick 5-minute stroll around campus or practicing mindful breathing. Doing some quick stretching, yoga, or even dancing can make a big difference in how you feel each day, both physically and mentally. Finding a way to “pause” for a few minutes each day and making sure your body is getting what it needs should be a priority for everyone working in stressful environments.

Something Phillips wanted to reiterate about the FSAP is that they are “a resource with qualified professionals who don’t want to embarrass or expose you, we want to create a healing, safe space so you can resume your work-life balance. Life is lifeing, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and defeated by that at times. Let us help you!”

Please visit the FSAP website for more information about their services and resources: https://health.umd.edu/fsap.