Month: January 2020

Wellness App Now Available for Download

| Emily Keeler

 

As part of our commitment to the safety and well-being of our university community, I want to share with you the “Ohio State: Wellness” app for students, available now for download on iOS devices.

 

The app was developed by students, faculty and staff as part of the Digital Flagship initiative following recommendations from our mental health task force. It provides a streamlined way for students to navigate the range of resources available across the university and in the community, helping you or someone you care about access the support they need.

 

The app, which will continue to evolve based on the needs of students, is organized into four sections:

 

·     Explore — articles and scholarship focused on student wellness

·     Support — resources for recovery and proactive wellness

·     My Wellness — tracking to support wellness goals

·     Crisis — directions for quickly accessing support; this feature is also currently available as “I’m Experiencing an Emergency or Crisis” in the About You tab in the Ohio State app

 

Anyone with an Apple device running iOS 13 or higher may download the app for free by searching for “Ohio State: Wellness” in the App Store. All Digital Flagship iPads will download this app automatically when connected to Wi-Fi. This semester, the university’s app development team also will add features from the “Ohio State: Wellness” app to the existing Ohio State app for Android and iOS. Our gratitude goes to the many partners who collaborated in true Buckeye spirit to develop and launch this resource.

 

As always, if you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Please also familiarize yourself with additional suicide prevention resources along with faculty and staff assistance.

Take Advantage of Free Wellness Webinars in February

| Emily Keeler
Benefits-eligible faculty and staff can explore programs offered by the OSU Health Plan as a service of Your Plan for Health. Learn more or register via LinkToHealth > Educational Program. Topics relate to healthy eating, active living, emotional well-being and financial wellness. Upcoming webinars include:

 

Flu Season Tips

| Emily Keeler

With cold and flu season upon us, here is a reminder for some best practices to help avoid getting sick.

  • Everyone 6 months and older is encouraged to get a flu shot.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    •.Do not use drinking fountains for washing hands or cleaning eating utensils/cups/water bottles.
    • Stay home when you are sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If no tissue is available, cough/sneeze into your elbow not y our hand.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more information regarding the flu visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/

For more information regarding the coronavirus outbreak visit the CDC website at  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

If you have questions, please contact Employee Health or Student Health.

OSU Health Plan New Concierge Service

| Emily Keeler

Take Advantage of OSU Health Plan New Concierge Service
If you have questions related to your medical plan, the new OSU Health Plan’s Member Concierge Services can help.

  • Speak to one representative until your issue is resolved
    In the new concierge service, the representative who takes the original call on a specific issue will remain with you until your issue is resolved. The representative will give you his or her name for follow up purposes and will keep you informed of every step. If you need to check in with your representative, you’ll have his or her name to speak with directly instead of having to explain the problem again to a new staff person.
  • Make an in-person appointment
    Sometimes your concern may be better resolved if you make an in-person appointment at the OSU Health Plan offices located at 700 Ackerman Road, suite 1007. There is paid and visitor parking available; lots are regulated by CampusParc. To schedule a personal meeting, call 614-292-4700.

Learn more

Staff Career Development Grant

| Emily Keeler

Staff Career Development Grant Applications Accepted Until January 31

Planning your next professional development opportunity and need funding? Apply online for the Staff Career Development Grant. Eligible staff can apply for a grant of up to $1,250 for individuals, $1,750 for groups of 2-10 and $2,000 for groups of 11 or more, and the funds can be used for a variety of professional development opportunities related to job and/or career goals. Online applications are being accepted until Friday, January 31.

Read more: https://gatewaytolearning.osu.edu/professional-career-development/staff-development-grants/staff-career-development-grant/

Contact: hr-staffgrant@osu.edu