Financial Wellness

Faculty/Staff Support Services

Faculty/Staff Support Services (FSSS) provides private* mental health referrals, support, and resources for UC Irvine and UCI Health co-workers. FSSS helps individuals, teams, and departments navigate challenges ranging from workplace stress and burnout to critical incidents and organizational change. Services include individual resource referral meetings, critical incident response support, departmental consultations, and customized trainings on topics such as trauma-informed care, resilience, and mental health awareness. We are committed to fostering a healthy, supportive workplace culture where employees can thrive personally and professionally. By Appointment only.

wellbeing at work

Mental Health Support

Private, short-term resource referral meetings are available to employees seeking support for their own wellbeing, including stress, burnout, or workplace challenges. In addition, FSSS provides consultation to supervisors, managers, and leaders to help them support the mental health and resilience of their teams.
Faculty/Staff Support Services also provides response and recovery support following difficult or traumatic workplace events, such as the death of a colleague, medical emergencies, or other crises that impact a department or team. FSSS can assist to coordinate on-site or virtual debrief sessions, consultation with leadership, and coordination of additional resources to help individuals and teams process the event and begin to heal.

Training and Education

Faculty/Staff Support Services offers workshops and trainings by request to help teams and departments strengthen awareness, skills, and resilience around mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Sessions can be tailored to address topics such as trauma-informed care, navigating difficult conversations, managing burnout and compassion fatigue, and suicide prevention.
FSSS also coordinates Mental Health First Aid, a nationally recognized, evidence-based program that equips employees with the knowledge and confidence to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges, respond effectively, and connect colleagues with appropriate resources. For more information visit: https://hr.uci.edu/wellness/mentalhealth/.

Respondent Support Services

Faculty/Staff Support Services provides private, compassionate support to employees who have been named as respondents in matters that allegedly violate UCI’s Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment policy including cases involving sexual violence, sexual harassment, or related policy concerns. While we do not provide legal advice or advocate for case outcomes, we help employees understand university processes, connect with available resources, and receive emotional support as they navigate what can often be a stressful and complex experience.

Grievance Support Services

Faculty/Staff Support Services offers private support to any employee involved in a matter related to the University’s Abusive Conduct in the Workplace Policy. Whether you are a complainant, respondent, or witness, our office provides a safe space to discuss your concerns, receive emotional support, and better understand available resources. While we are not part of the investigative or decision-making process, we help employees navigate the procedures, connect with appropriate campus partners, and feel supported throughout what can often be a difficult experience.

Faculty/Staff Support Services Does Not:

*Privacy notice:

Faculty/Staff Support Services is private but not legally confidential, meaning information shared is kept private except when required by law or university policy (such as safety concerns).

CONTACT

For more information or to request services, please contact Faculty/Staff Support Services at nshekara@hs.uci.edu

About the Program Director

Faculty/Staff Support Services is led by Negar Shekarabi, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience supporting mental health and wellbeing in higher education and healthcare settings. Dr. Shekarabi specializes in workplace mental health, crisis response, and training, and is committed to fostering a culture of care, resilience, and psychological safety for UCI and UCI Health employees.

QUICK LINKS

Employee Discounts

Dependent & Elder Care Resources

Life Resources Program

UCI Benefits

UCI HR Wellness

UCI Health Care Facilitators

UCI Health REACH