Fall 2022 Employee Well-Being Newsletter

UI

staff

UI Wellness is

Megan Hammes

Senior Director, UI Wellness megan-hammes@uiowa.edu

Carla Melby-Oetken Health Coach carla-melby@uiowa.edu

Sandy Stewart

Well-Being Specialist sandra-stewart@uiowa.edu

Melanie Cuchna

Well-Being Specialist melanie-cuchna@uiowa.edu

Jean O’Donovan Secretary jean-odonovan@uiowa.edu

Mary Heath Secretary mary-heath@uiowa.edu 353-2973

Diana Kremzar

Family Services Director diana-kremzar@uiowa.edu 335-3558

Kelli Jackson Amato

Well-Being Specialist kelli-jackson-amato@uiowa.edu 467-4917

Sara Cathi

Health Coach sara-cathi@uiowa.edu 467-3239

Layout and Design by Student Life Communications

It might seem like we have been flooded with information about vaccines lately. The importance of getting your seasonal, annual vaccine for influenza (flu) remains very important to keep yourself and those around you healthier. It can also help protect our health care staff from the additional burden of potentially avoidable severe illness.

If you haven’t got your flu shot yet, there is still time to do an oncampus event, or conveniently schedule your flu shot at a UI Health Care clinic (Quick Cares, Urgent Cares or Iowa River Landing) or from your primary care provider. You can find more information on the UI employee flu vaccine campaign on page 13 of this newsletter.

In addition to getting the flu vaccine and while the COVID-19 virus continues to be present, the following actions can greatly protect you and aid in staying healthy:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• If you are sick, stay home and limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu.

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.

• Maintain a safe distance from others and mask indoors when community transmission rates are high.

• Make sure you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines including boosters.

• You may find booster availability at various UI Health Care locations and local pharmacies

Finally, practicing good self-care like getting adequate sleep, being physically active, and eating healthy foods help to support your immune system during flu season. Contact liveWELL at livewell@uiowa.edu if you would like to work with a Health Coach to help you with motivation and accountability in any of these areas.

Be Well Hawkeyes,

Britt L Marcussen, MD

Clinical Professor and Program Director Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Department of Family Medicine Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Campus Health Officer | University of Iowa

liveWELL inspires a culture of well-being and campus excellence, providing employees with the opportunity to thrive.

Are You Ruok.orgOK?

Suicide Prevention

If you ever wonder or worry about a colleague, student, peer, friend, or neighbor, you have permission to ask,

“Are you OK?” It is normal for some questions to arise. “Is this something I should do?” Yes. “Am I going to make things worse?” No. “What can I do anyway?” A lot. A conversation could change a life.

We can sense something, think about it, and talk to others, but without moving towards a conversation with the person that worries you, there is no way to know what might be going on. Far more people have thoughts of suicide than attempt or die by suicide. When we lean into the people in our midst with care and compassion, it creates a meaningful connection, and that is doing something.

and

In response to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, the 988 Suicide and Crisis line (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) went live on July 16, 2022. It simplifies getting help by using an easy-to-remember, three-digit number, and it offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors. The line is for anyone experiencing suicidal, substance abuse and/or any mental health concerns, as well as loved ones who may also need crisis support.

people in the United States died by Suicide in 2020.

SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE

10 TH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES.

Individuals die by suicide every day are veterans.

“ “ EVERYONE IS GOING THROUGH SOMETHING.

To ask or not to ask. Consensus lands on the side of asking and then modifying as needed depending on what we are told by our peer/friend/colleague. Often, people say they appreciate the acknowledgment from others noticing or “seeing” them. A sample question to connect could be: “It seems like you have been going through a lot lately. Are you okay?” For those who prefer not to share, a simple “Thank you for asking, I/we are managing. I really appreciate your concern” can be a comfortable response. If you are concerned, it can help to ask twice, “No, really, are you ok?”

After an exchange or interaction, offering to check in again is also a caring, helpful action. On any given day at work, we manage our workflow as well as our lives which are often stressful. In the words of Kevin Love, NBA Professional Athlete, “Everyone is going through something.” We don’t have to be experts in counseling to tune in to the people in our lives and listen.

How do we talk about these things?  But what do I say?

General politeness and etiquette often guide what we ask others at work or even at home about subjects that are personal. Many people prefer to wait for spontaneous sharing rather than to ask others what might be going on in their lives. It is important, though, to know there are events that are stressful or at least disruptive to most people in the US that are personal/private. These are the times people need us most. They are:

• Death of a loved one

• Divorce

• Moving

• Major illness or injury

• Job loss.

Simply knowing of those events is an opening to tune in and check in.

- Kevin Love NBA Professional Athlete

SUICIDE PREVENTION Resources

Kognito At Risk

Kognito At Risk is a 45-minute interactive, role-play simulation that builds awareness, knowledge and skills about mental health and suicide prevention, preparing faculty and staff to help support students and colleagues exhibiting signs of psychological distress, talk about concerns and, if needed, connect with support services. The scenarios involve students who are experiencing distress, but the skills

learned are generalizable to working with staff and colleagues or anyone for whom you are concerned.

In 2021, 96% of users (“strongly agreed”) they would recommend At Risk training to their colleagues. 97% of respondents agreed that participating in this training increased their confidence in managing student distress.

96% 97%

would recommend At Risk training to their colleagues

agreed participation increased confidence in managing distress

As faculty, staff, supervisors, and colleagues find themselves tuning in and connecting with one another more and more, these skills will allow us to check in with care and compassion. Learn more and how to enroll at the Suicide Prevention Page on UI EAP’s website:

HR.UIOWA.EDU/SUICIDE-PREVENTION

Kognito Cultivating Inclusive Communities is also available to campus for guidance in navigating conversations around campus connectedness and inclusivity.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a suicide-prevention training designed to educate people from all walks of life how to recognize the warning signs of suicide. QPR training helps people get comfortable asking the question “Are you thinking about suicide?” and then helping them get appropriate help.

QPR training can be delivered in about one hour and is designed for all “gatekeepers.” A gatekeeper, according to the Surgeon General’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (2001), is anyone who is able to recognize when someone is in a crisis and may be contemplating suicide. QPR does not require participants to become crisis counselors but will increase their understanding of resources. A conversation can change a life.

UI Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

UI Employee Assistance Program (UI EAP) is here to discuss these matters, consult with supervisors and staff around issues relating to mental health and well-being and more. UI EAP provides integrated services to faculty, staff, and their family members to promote emotional well-being and to increase engagement and productivity among members of our UI community.

• Confidential, short-term counseling to faculty, staff, and their families

• Consultation for supervisors/managers

• Information and referral to community resources

Contact UI EAP at 319-335-2085 or eaphelp@uiowa.edu

Learn more about UI EAP at their website.

If you are a faculty or staff member working with a student in need, you can direct them to multiple resources on campus.

• University Counseling Services: counseling.uiowa.edu or call (319)-335-7294

• Student Crisis Line: 24/7 access to help: mentalhealth.uiowa.edu/ui-support-and-crisis-line or call/text 844-461-5420

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Resources and Programs

Mental Health At Iowa

Find campus mental health and well-being programs and resources in a one-stop shop web page for all students, faculty, and staff.

Learn more at:

MENTALHEALTH.UIOWA.EDU

Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC)

WRAC provides many programs and services to support women and individuals of all identities in the University of Iowa community. Their services include counseling, violence prevention programs and trainings, art therapy, leadership trainings, and educational workshops on diversity and inclusion. To request counseling services, contact WRAC at wrac@uiowa.edu.

Learn more at:

WRAC.UIOWA.EDU

Threat Assessment Program

The UI Threat Assessment Program provides support and compassionate assistance for individuals experiencing distress to mitigate risk of planned physical harm to the individual and others and ensure a safe campus community.

Learn more at:

HR.UIOWA.EDU/THREAT-ASSESSMENT

Recharge+™ is a digital program designed to help you measure and improve your resilience. Complete the validated assessment to get a snapshot of your current level of resilience and how you can improve. Opt-in for tailored text messages at a time that works best for you. Complete your assessment again after 30 days to check your progress.

Reset your life’s meaning and purpose

liveWELL Tip

Take an inventory of your time. What distractions are keeping you from the things that really matter?

Rethink your mindset Reconnect through strong social connections

liveWELL Tip

Being in nature or even viewing scenes of nature (think screensaver), reduces anger, fear and stress and increases pleasant feelings.

liveWELL Tip

We all want someone to lift us up in times of trouble. Who can lift you up?

How to access Recharge+

1 Visit Employee Self Service > Benefits & Wellness > Personal Health Assessment and Recharge+. Note: You must have completed the Personal Health Assessment at least one time during your employment to access Recharge+.

2 Complete Recharge+ and opt-in for text messages. Note: You must confirm your first text message to continue receiving messages from Recharge+.

3 Complete Recharge+ again after 30 days to see how your resilience has improved.

HR.UIOWA.EDU/LIVEWELL/RECHARGE

NOVEMBER MINDFUL MOMENTS

This November liveWELL is partnering with students from the Department of Health and Human Physiology again to deliver Mindful Moments, a campuswide, three-week program encouraging all employees to participate in activities that help weave mindful moments into their daily routines. Register now in Employee Self-Service, Benefits and Wellness, My liveWELL Portal.

Your Mind And Body Enhance

The Westlawn Open Wellness (WOW) Room in Westlawn Building on Newton Road was constructed from the vision of Jennifer Streeter, MD, PhD, associate in Cardiovascular Medicine, who wished for a space on campus where she could engage in mental and physical well-being activities throughout the day.

This vision came to life with several collaborations across campus including Facilities Management, the Carver College of Medicine, and the liveWELL program. The Carver College of Medicine and Facilities Management worked together to secure space and donated plants and décor and installed cabinets and shelves to furnish the room. Jennifer teamed up with liveWELL to receive a $500 Wellness Grant to purchase a large exercise mat, resistance bands, jump ropes, yoga equipment and a meditation cushion for the room.

Visit the liveWELL Website to learn more about Wellness Grants:

The WOW Room is free for all campus members to use including students, faculty, and staff. The only request is to provide feedback on your experience with the space. Whether you are in need for exercise, yoga, Pilates, meditation, or reading, you can find an activity to help you recharge. The room also features a heated massage chair. When looking to the future, Jennifer says “I hope the uses of the room will evolve and people will find new and creative ways to use the space to achieve whatever brings them health and happiness.”

Learn more about how to reserve the WOW Room:

“

I hope the uses of the room will evolve and people will find new and creative ways to use the space to achieve whatever brings them health and happiness.

- Jennifer Streeter “

Wellness

ART THERAPY

Olivia Wulf, Assistant Nurse Manager for the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), organized an art therapy wellness program for her department over the summer and was awarded a $500 Wellness Grant from UI Wellness to support the costs. The funds were used to purchase art supplies for employees to engage in art therapy during their monthly department meetings.

Group art therapy has been shown to reduce stress, promote mindfulness, and facilitate a sense of togetherness in the workplace. The participants were able to improve their emotional wellbeing while carving out time in their busy lives to be creative.

“Our staff opened up with each other, had meaningful conversation, and were able to create art together while learning more about each other and ourselves!”

GRANTS

Olivia explains, “Our group had a great time with art therapy and truly had beneficial results. Our staff opened up with each other, had meaningful conversation, and were able to create art together while learning more about each other and ourselves! Thank you for the support of this program! The group hopes to continue improving wellness, promoting creativity, and building community within the MICU!”

The Wellness Grant program aims to promote a culture of health in the workplace by funding wellness efforts and projects for specific departments. UI Faculty and Staff members can apply for a Wellness Grant online at: hr.uiowa.edu/well-being/livewell/programs-and-services/wellness-grants

UI QuickCare:

Fighter Fighter

University of Iowa employees can get the flu vaccine

free

UI Urgent Care:

locations

campus. You may also

vaccine at U I QuickCare, U I Urgent Care, Iowa River Landing, or your primary care provider.

primary care provider,

can

DATE LOCATION TIME

Weekdays,

12 –

Pediatric Conference Center* 2400 John Colloton Pavilion, UIHC

7:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

UI BioVentures Center (BVC) 2500 Crosspark Road Coralville, Iowa 52241

31 – Nov. 18, 2022

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022

University Employee Health Clinic (UEHC), 1097-1 Boyd Tower, UIHC

Field House, 225 South Grand Avenue Iowa City, IA 52242

CDC recommends that all people ages

months and older get a yearly flu

steps

other

10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

your hands

a safe distance

a tissue

hand

information

the

bring

be

Non-UI Health

upon entering

with your ID you may state that

employee vaccines.

Mary Klinefelter UIHC Pharmacy

“I plan to use the $250 towards another trip like the one I took with my husband to the Mediterranean area last month.”

Anne Gentil-Archer

College of Nursing

“I dream of a few good massages to help me restore my health and good energy and being a winner will help me put this dream to reality. Thank you so much liveWELL for all you do for the University community; I will send good healing vibes to all as I receive my massage!”

TAKE YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!

HOW TO TAKE YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Access your 10-minute survey at your Employee Self-Service website.

The PHA is available to faculty and staff in 50% or greater, regular positions.

Access your 10-minute survey at your Employee Self-Service website.

STEP 1 STEP 2

STEP 3

The PHA is available to faculty and staff in 50% or greater, regular positions.

WELLNESS

Nominate your Wellness Hero!

HR.UIOWA.EDU/LIVEWELL/WELLNESS-HEROES

Wellness Heroes is a program to recognize faculty and staff members who are practicing healthy behaviors that are inspiring others in the workplace. To acknowledge their efforts, a Wellness Hero will be awarded a certificate and a prize. liveWELL hopes to have our pages filled with Wellness Heroes in each newsletter! Any faculty or staff member can nominate any other faculty or staff member.

Jodi Heth

Staff Nurse, Ambulatory Surgery Center

Nominated by Molly Kucera

Jodi is our wellness ambassador and is an example of healthy living. She recently completed her goal to run a one-half or full marathon in each state across the United States. She is working to improve wellness at the Ambulatory Surgery Center by creating a monthly newsletter with different ideas and topics. One of her ideas, with the help of Lisa Ellenson and Molly Kucera, is sending a monthly newsletter and planning unit activities to promote health, wellness, and camaraderie. This month’s newsletter contains information on nutrition and a shared recipe.

David Moser Professor,

Department of Psychiatry

Nominated by Brittany McGraw

Dave has been taking the stairs for somewhere around two years now, despite working on the 8th floor! Dave made a commitment back in 2020 to take the stairs (in part to raise funds and the push for taking the stairs to start), and he just never stopped! Dave demonstrates priority of overall health, physical and mental, as he is also an avid biker, hiker, and psychologist.

Recognizing a colleague or coworker for their wellness efforts is a great way to contribute to a positive culture in your workspace. Nominate a Wellness Hero today!

Save the Date!

After two years of a virtual-only Health Fair, we will return to an in-person event on Wednesday November 2, 2022 at the UI Field House Main Deck from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All University of Iowa employees (faculty and staff) are invited to attend.

The UI Strategic Plan 2022-2027 calls upon us to “embed well-being and mental health into all aspects of campus culture.” When you attend the Health & Well-Being Fair, you will learn about campus resources to support your own personal well-being as well as your work unit.

Sponsors:

University Human Resources, liveWELL

UI Recreational Services

University of Iowa Health Care

UI Staff Council

TIAA

Well-being at the University of Iowa is a process focused on life-long learning that promotes and sustains optimal health, personal connectedness, meaningful experiences, and a purposeful life.

Learn more at: hr.uiowa.edu/health-and-well-being-fair-2022

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