Resource Articles

​Hobbies are a great way to reduce a person's stress level, improve moods, and reduce the risk of depression. They also help you focus on the present instead of worrying about your tomorrow's to-do list. Work/Life Connections-EAP shares suggestions to use hobbies to build your mental health resilience.

​Have you ever wished you could turn off your thoughts for a moment? Our minds can easily become cluttered and inundated with information. Work/Life Connections-EAP shares some ways in which you can take a "mindful microbreak" to regain some peace of mind.

​Kindness is generally thought of as a simple act, like smiling to a stranger walking by or saying thank you to a waiter. While the act itself might seem small, the impact is big. Work/Life Connections-EAP shares some ways in which you can inject small acts of kindness into your daily routine.

The destruction of the December storms and tornados is heartbreaking. There is a feeling of being totally overwhelmed, hopelessness and helplessness. Jim Kendall, LCSW, of Vanderbilt Work/Life Connections-EAP gives an assessment of how to recognize symptoms of extreme stress, and how to help those affected by the recent tornadoes.

​The Medical Center has many programs in place to support individuals and work groups in their psychological and spiritual health.

The one-year anniversary of the deadly March 3rd tornado brings back memories of loss, grief, and fear. It is a good time to pause and reflect. Work/Life Connection-EAP's Jim Kendall provides tips on how to emotionally prepare for anniversary reaction.

When there are challenging cases that impact caregiver psychological well-being, Vanderbilt offers a variety of support services for faculty and staff.

When a colleague is impacted by an unanticipated outcome or challenging case, Peer Support Teams within a workgroup proactively offer emotional support to affected peers.

Adverse Event/Unexpected Outcome Support


 Boost Your Mental Health and Well-being Chad Buck, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, at Work/Life Connections-EAP, shares six strategies to boost mood, build resilience, and increase happiness: 1.) Make face-to-face social connections a priority, 2.) Stay active, 3.) Learn to manage stress, 4.) Eat a brain-healthy diet, 5.) Get enough sleep, 6.) Invest in activities that give your life meaning.