Many of you may have witnessed or heard about the tragic incident on Red Square today in which a former UW employee set fire to himself. Sadly he died later at Harborview Medical Center, our condolences go out to his family. We all recognize that it was a terrifying and painful thing for people to see. After witnessing a traumatic event you may experience a number of reactions; shock, fear, sadness, or heightened emotions. The University has a number of offices available to help you get through this time. To help you cope with your reactions we encourage you to remember the following:
DO
· Seek professional support if you feel like you need help processing what happened.
Don’t
· Numb your pain with depressive chemicals such as alcohol or other drugs.

If your distress is disrupting your life and your ability to carry on basic functions, seek help.

Sincerely yours,