News - Work/Life Connections

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month was created to educate the public on how to identify those struggling, how to talk about suicide, and provide community resources. Vanderbilt Work/Life Connections-EAP provides steps you can take if you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide.

​The last few years has taken a toll on all of us. We experienced feelings of loneliness, isolation, depression, anxiety, and grief from lives lost. Unfortunately for too many, these emotions lead to thoughts of suicide. To help individuals receive help faster the National Suicide Lifeline launched a new 3-digit crisis line number.

​We've all been weathering the impact of a two-year pandemic that continues to affect our lives and requires constant adaptations. Childcare, eldercare, social connections, travel, conferences, and our general way of life has changed. Even the most resilient individuals working in healthcare and education are struggling with some level of burnout. The intensity of caring for patients during a pandemic, the demands often exceeding the staffing resources, constant changes, the unexpected deaths related to COVID, and level of emotional exhaustion is real.

Just when we began to take a breath from the Delta surge, the Omicron variant permeates the news. While some seem to go on about their lives without significant worry, others find themselves with renewed anxieties about infections. Jim Kendall, LCSW, Manager of Vanderbilt Work/Life Connections-EAP gives some advice on how to manage the fears that may reappear with this new variant surge.

​Celebrating holidays is a way that we connect with others by sharing memories and traditions. Work/Life Connections-EAP gives advice on how to manage the stressful moments that may be experienced during the holiday season as we continue onward through the pandemic.

October is Depression Awareness Month. Now more than ever, it is important to take stock of your mood and mental health. Learn the signs and symptoms of depression, and the resources available to you.

The Coronavirus pandemic has been traumatizing and 2020 has been an exhausting year. As a result, many have been living much of the time in "survival mode." Anxiety, fear, and trauma interrupt our ability to readily access our frontal cortex. This is the part of our brain that controls our cognitive skills including problem solving, memory, and emotional expression. It serves as the brain's "dispatch center." When functioning in survival mode, it is harder to focus, prioritize, and effectively manage conflict. This can impact an individual's productivity.

The Winter Holidays are a time of anticipation and meaning for many. They remind us of our family traditions, our childhoods, and an array of expectations. This year, COVID-19 will also change our holiday celebrations. Vanderbilt Work/Life Connections-EAP shares some ways in which you can navigate the holidays, and manage the negative feelings which this holiday season may bring.

​The Holiday season is usually a time for workplace celebrations, families gathering with hugs and food, and friends connecting at parties. Sadly, this year will be different due to the current pandemic. Jim Kendall, LCSW, CEAP, Manager of Work/Life Connections-EAP, shares some ideas on how to connect with family when social distancing is a necessity.

With all of the disasters we have heard about and experienced over the last several months (tornados, derechos, hurricanes, flooding, fires, earthquakes, and now this unprecedented pandemic), we're reminded of how important it is to have a family disaster plan. Nobody likes to think about it and it can feel overwhelming, so start a plan breaking it down into manageable pieces. Pandemic planning