Month: April 2020

Ohio State EAP Introduces Mental Health Chatbot

| Emily Keeler

In partnership with IMPACT Solutions, the Ohio State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has introduced Tess, a mental health chatbot, available for employees and their families. Start a conversation by texting “Hi” to 415-360-0023 and use code “buckeyes” when prompted. Tess delivers coping strategies based on the emotions you express. Tess is confidential and a helpful resource for teens, college students and adults. Learn more.

Donate at Upcoming Buckeye Blood Drives

| Emily Keeler

There are still appointments available at upcoming blood drives. Everyone who comes to give will receive a gift card for a free box meal from Raising Canes. Make an appointment for one of these drives then look for the Versiti bloodmobile, which will be parked at these locations:

  • Thursday, April 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Outpatient Care East, Conference, room 2113
    Make an appointment
  • Friday, May 8, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., north side of James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, outside conference room space
    Make an appointment
  • Thursday, May 21, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., East Hospital, Wallace Auditorium
    Make an appointment

For Versiti’s COVID-19 safety precautions, go to versiti.org.

Donate at Upcoming Buckeye Blood Drives

| Emily Keeler

Ohio State: Wellness App Now Available for Android, iOS

| Emily Keeler

During these difficult times we know you may be facing new challenges and we are here to support you with the resources you need. The Ohio State: Wellness app is now available for download on Android and iOS devices to support student mental health and well-being. Whether you’re looking to find resources for yourself or someone you care about, the Wellness app is a great place to start. Download the app on any Android or iOS device.

New Wellness Resources Available Until May 3

| Emily Keeler

STAR Program Offers Employee Well-Being Resources

| Emily Keeler

The Stress, Trauma And Resilience (STAR) Program is offering new mental health resources with support from clinicians at Harding Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health:

  • The STAR phone line 614-293-STAR (7827) offers live, confidential one-on-one phone support 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • A daily virtual support group, The Daily Boost, has both 15- and 30-minute sessions Monday through Friday

A Message from the Chief Wellness Officer

| Emily Keeler
Hello,
Think about the last time you coped with and recovered from a difficult life event, whether psychological or physical. Like many others, it’s common that you might have had a hard time facing the challenge, feeling the lasting effects in your mind or body. A recent study revealed that while most people surveyed believed that they have high levels of mental and physical resilience, only about 57% really do. This means a lot of us are not as prepared to face stress, sickness and other difficulties as we think.
The good news is that resilience is like a muscle you can train to get stronger — so the next time things take an unexpected turn, you are prepared to bounce back quicker and easier. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, we need to rely on our resiliency skills to get us through these challenging times.
Try practicing these 10 building-block skills of resilient people:
  1. Practice self-care
  2. See yourself as in control
  3. Reframe negative thoughts
  4. Build your social network
  5. Increase your optimism
  6. Learn coping skills
  7. Practice gratitude
  8. Rely on your problem-solving skills
  9. Know your strengths and areas for improvement
  10. Inch by inch, it’s a cinch. Yard by yard, it’s hard.
Stay strong, be well and remember, we are all in this together. There will be silver linings that come from this pandemic. Go Bucks!
Warm and well regards,
Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Vice President for Health Promotion
University Chief Wellness Officer
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, College of Medicine