Services for Staff

ASK ME Mental Health Support for VUMC Faculty/Staff

harnessg — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 20:17:25 +0000

ASK ME Mental Health Support for VUMC Faculty/Staff

Services for Staff, Services, Work/Life Connections

harnessg Wed, 08/09/2023 - 15:17 RSS:

Work/LIfe Connections

Finding mental health support can sometimes feel overwhelming. The ASK ME service, provided by Work/Life Connections-EAP, can ease the journey and personalize your care.

While the match between a client and a behavioral health provider is critical to a successful outcome, there is no single list that can easily guide you to the right provider. There are many behavioral health specialties in areas such as trauma, serious mental illness, medication, child and adolescent issues, wellness coaching, working with couples, issues unique to older adults, psychological testing, addictions, and dealing with various diagnoses. Furthermore, some providers will see clients in their offices and many more are seeing clients virtually.

The ASK ME team is available to help match you or your spouse with a potential behavioral health provider based on your individual needs. Contact the ASK ME service at 615-936-1327 or email worklife.connections@vumc.org.

Tags

Counseling, Mental Health

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Coaching at Vanderbilt

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:05:15 +0000

Coaching at Vanderbilt

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Tue, 01/08/2013 - 11:05 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

"Good coaching can be invaluable for even the best performers." -- Jeff Balser, MD, President & CEO, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

What is coaching? Coaching involves the process of supporting and guiding a person to meet his or her full potential. The coach's role may be as a Leader, Teacher, Motivator, Organizer, Adviser, Encourager, and/or Mentor.

Some coaching techniques include: motivational interviewing, basic skill review, enhancement of emotional intelligence, and development of vision and/or goal setting. The types of coaching available at Vanderbilt are just as varied as the possible techniques that are used. Below is a list of Vanderbilt coaching resources:

Work/Life Connections - EAP Performance Coaching -This service is provided by licensed professionals to help employees address workplace situations in which "personality impacts performance." Coaches help employees examine areas of limitation or challenge and assist in the development of a personalized improvement plan. Examples of areas addressed in Performance Coaching include: communication and listening skills, emotional intelligence, organizational and time management, stress management, and work/life balance. Call 936-1327 for an appointment.
Health Plus Lifestyle Coaching - This program promotes healthy behavior change and the reduction of health risks. Population Coaching provides, via quarterly emails, information about Vanderbilt resources and educational information pertaining to identified health risks. In addition, faculty/staff with the greatest risks in one of 4 categories: weight, physical inactivity, high stress, or tobacco use are invited to participate in Personal Lifestyle Coaching (non-clinical), the goal of which is to guide the participant in setting goals, creating a plan to achieve this goal, and providing support through the behavior change process. Call 343-8943 for more information.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Human ResourcesWorkforce Development Team offers a variety of professional development opportunities to individuals and teams. For example, trainings on techniques to enhance leadership abilities, education on leadership and communication styles; and instruction in preparing and conducting performance development meetings and action plans. There are a number of online resources available on their website.
Nursing Education and Professional Development Frontline Leadership Academy Nurse Practicum Coaching - This service for nurses is coordinated by Chris Wilson, MSN, RN and reinforces classroom and practicum learning to enhance critical leadership skills and improve practice at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The focus is on improved critical thinking and problem solving, communication, delegation, mentoring, and other critical skills. Call 615-343-3469 for more information.

Tags

Coaching, VUMC

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Basic Workplace Skills

admin — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:05:49 +0000

Basic Workplace Skills

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Fri, 09/14/2012 - 14:05 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

The American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) and U.S. Department of Labor identified 16 basic skills needed for success in the workplace.

Work/Life Connections-EAP can provide individual coaching or departmental training in several of the 16 skills needed to enhance workplace performance (in bold).

Foundation Skill: Learning how to learn
Reading Competence
Writing Competence
Computation (mathematics) Competence
Communication - Listening (interpersonal skill)
Communication - Oral (verbalize thoughts) (interpersonal skill)
Adaptability: Creative Thinking (and conceptualize)
Adaptability: Problem Solving (and organization)
Personal Management: Self Esteem and Self Care
Personal Management: Goal Setting/Motivation
Personal Management: Personal/Career Development
Group Effectiveness: Interpersonal Skills
Group Effectiveness: Negotiation (resolve conflict)
Group Effectiveness: Teamwork
Influence: Organizational Effectiveness
Influence: Leadership (and shared leadership)

If you are interested in skill development training in any of these or other areas, please call 615-936-1327 to discuss how WLC-EAP may assist you or your department.

Tags

Coaching, Training, VUMC

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Post-Traumatic Stress Self-Assessment

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:59:05 +0000

Post-Traumatic Stress Self-Assessment

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:59 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

When a person experiences, witnesses, or is confronted with an event or situation that involves actual or threatened death, serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others, he or she can experience fear, helplessness, and horror. PTSD results when effects of exposure to a traumatic event persist beyond one month following the event.

Please answer "Yes" or "No" if you have been exposed to or witnessed a traumatic event and have engaged in or experienced any of the following over the past month on a fairly consistent basis.

Bothered by unwanted memories or nightmares?
Tried to avoid thinking or talking about event?
Sought information or activities related to the event?
Lost pleasure in things you used to enjoy?
Felt numb or had difficulty experiencing feelings?
Had trouble concentrating or focusing
Felt easily annoyed, irritated, or on edge?
Avoided social gatherings?
Had difficulty falling or staying asleep
Used excessive caution or watchful of surroundings

If you answered "Yes" to 4 or more of these, then you might be experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress. If you are concerned about your reactions to a traumatic event, please seek medical and/or psychological support. If you are a VUMC faculty or staff member, you can start by calling Work/Life Connections – EAP at (615) 936-1327 for a free, confidential assessment.

Please consult the Vanderbilt Health and Wellness Resource Library for more information on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other Anxiety Disorders.

Tags

Counseling, Crisis, Critical Incident Stress, Mental Health, Prevention, Risk Reduction, Stress, VUMC

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Disordered Eating and Negative Body Image Self-Assessment

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:57:09 +0000

Disordered Eating and Negative Body Image Self-Assessment

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:57 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

Disordered eating refers to a continuum of eating behaviors that can be linked to managing overwhelming emotions or to negative beliefs about ourselves, food, or our body image. Not every person with disordered eating behaviors or a negative view of their body has a diagnosable eating disorder (i.e., anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder), but they may eat or not eat due to stress, use food to find comfort or to establish a sense of control, or have rigid or strange food rules or rituals that affect their health, relationships, and overall functioning.

Please answer "Yes" or "No" if you have engaged in or experienced any of the following over the past three months.

Felt guilty after eating?
Felt preoccupied by what I ate?
Weighed myself multiple times each week?
Ate to the point of feeling sick or uncomfortable?
Skipped meals to avoid weight gain?
Ate only "safe" foods with low calories, fat, etc.?
Used laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills to control weight?
Vomited after meals to keep from gaining weight?
Hidden the fact that I ate or did not eat food?
Ate to feel comfort or to feel better?
Felt anxious or worried if not able to exercise?
Felt ashamed of my body size, shape, or appearance?

If you answered "Yes" to 4 or more of these, then you might have disordered eating or negative body image. If you are concerned about your eating behavior or thoughts about your body, please seek medical and/or psychological support. If you are a Vanderbilt faculty or staff member, you can start by calling Work/Life Connections – EAP at (615) 936-1327 for a free, confidential assessment.

Please consult the Vanderbilt Health and Wellness Resource Library for more information on Disordered Eating and Negative Body Image. You can also access other online screening instruments through Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee.

Tags

Body Mass Index, Counseling, Mental Health, VUMC, Weight Management

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Attention Deficit Disorder (AD/HD or ADD) Self-Assessment

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:54:51 +0000

Attention Deficit Disorder (AD/HD or ADD) Self-Assessment

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:54 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

Many people have issues with paying attention, remembering details, or interrupting others when they are speaking. When these and other behaviors begin at an early age and continue to affect overall functioning at school, work, or in relationships, there could be a possible disorder of attention. People with AD/HD (ADD) can be predominantly inattentive or hyperactive, or they can have signs of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity.

Please answer "Yes" or "No" if you have engaged in or experienced any of the following on a consistent basis over the past six months and had similar problems as a child.

Had problems paying attention to details?
Made careless mistakes?
Had a hard time maintaining attention over time?
Had problems listening when spoken to directly?
Did not finish projects or follow instructions?
Had problems organizing work or your own time?
Disliked doing things that had multiple steps?
Lost things?
Distracted by sounds, movement, things in environment?
Had problems remembering things?
Fidgeted with hands, shook feet, bounced leg?
Felt restless?
Found it difficult to work quietly?
Felt "driven by a motor"?
Talked excessively?
Blurted out thoughts or questions?
Found it hard to wait turn in line?
Interrupted others or intruded on conversations?

If you answered "Yes" to 6 or more of these, then you might be experiencing AD/HD (aka, ADD). If you are concerned about your level of attention, please seek medical and/or psychological support. If you are a VUMC faculty or staff member, you can start by calling Work/Life Connections – EAP at (615) 936-1327 for a free, confidential assessment.

Please consult the Vanderbilt Health and Wellness Resource Library for more information on AD/HD. You can also access other online screening instruments through the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Association.

Tags

Change, Coaching, Counseling, Mental Health, VUMC

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Stress Self-Assessment

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:39:50 +0000

Stress Self-Assessment

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Tue, 01/31/2012 - 13:39 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

Stress is a common experience for most people. There are more positive forms of stress, such as getting married, having a child, or moving into a new home. There are also less positive forms of stress, such as increased job demands, financial difficulties, or time pressures. Regardless of how positive stress can be, it can take a toll on a person's overall functioning.

Please answer "Yes" or "No" if you have engaged in or experienced any of the following over the past month on a fairly consistent basis.

Had difficulty being able to relax?
Struggled to keep up with demands?
Lost motivation due to feeling behind on projects?
Felt distracted, irritated, short-tempered?
Had difficulty falling or staying asleep?
Used alcohol to help with relaxation or sleep?
Worried about past, current, or future responsibilities?
Have been sick or had difficulty recovering from illness?

If you answered "Yes" to 3 or more of these, then you might be experiencing a high level of stress. If you are concerned about your stress level, please seek medical and/or psychological support. If you are a Vanderbilt faculty or staff member, you can start by calling Work/Life Connections – EAP at (615) 936-1327 for a free, confidential assessment.

Please consult the Vanderbilt Health and Wellness Resource Library for more information on Stress. You can also access other online screening instruments through Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee.

Tags

Change, Counseling, Mental Health, Stress, VUMC

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Depression Self-Assessment

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:35:03 +0000

Depression Self-Assessment

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Tue, 01/31/2012 - 13:35 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

There is a difference between feeling sad and having depression. Sadness is a normal response to disappointment, loss, endings, etc. People who are depressed are sad, but their sadness is present more often than not and can affect social, occupational, and other areas of functioning. A person with depression may also cry a lot, feel angry or irritable, and have frequent and vague physical complaints, such as headaches, muscle aches, and stomach upset.

Please answer "Yes" or "No" if you have engaged in or experienced any of the following over the past two weeks on a fairly consistent basis.

Felt bad or down most of the time?
Felt irritable or on edge?
Lost interest in activities I used to enjoy?
Felt tired most of the day on a frequent basis?
Slept too much or unable to sleep most nights?
Had trouble concentrating?
Felt anxious, restless, or lethargic?
Felt worthless, hopeless, or helpless?
Experienced aches, muscle pain, or stomach problems?
Had frequent thoughts of death or dying?

If you answered "Yes" to 5 or more of these, then you might be experiencing depression. If you are concerned about your mood, please seek medical and/or psychological support. If you are a Vanderbilt faculty or staff member, you can start by calling Work/Life Connections – EAP at (615) 936-1327 for a free, confidential assessment.

Please consult the Vanderbilt Health and Wellness Resource Library for more information on Depression. You can also access other online screening instruments through the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Association.

Tags

Counseling, Grief, Mental Health, Prevention, VUMC

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Anxiety Self-Assessment

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:07:08 +0000

Anxiety Self-Assessment

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Mon, 01/30/2012 - 16:07 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

Anxiety is a normal response to a stressful event or situation. We all experience anxiety in different ways. For some, it is a motivator for change or gives an extra burst of energy. For others, it overwhelms or paralyzes them for a short period of time. When anxiety is frequent and has longer lasting effects, it creates limitations in a person's social, occupational, and other areas of functioning.

Please answer "Yes" or "No" if you have engaged in or experienced any of the following over the past six months on a fairly consistent basis.

Felt nervous more days than not?
Worried about a lot of things most days?
Had difficulty stopping my worry?
Had trouble falling asleep/staying asleep?
Felt easily fatigued?
Had trouble concentrating?
Felt easily annoyed, irritated, or on edge?
Had muscle tightness, pain, or tension?
Experienced stomach problems or other ailments?
Had to change plans due to worry or nervousness?

If you answered "Yes" to 5 or more of these, then you might be experiencing anxiety. If you are concerned about your level of anxiety, please seek medical and/or psychological support. If you are a VUMC faculty or staff member, you can start by calling Work/Life Connections – EAP at (615) 936-1327 for a free, confidential assessment.

Please consult the Vanderbilt Health and Wellness Resource Library for more information on Anxiety. You can also access other online screening instruments through the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Association.

Tags

Change, Counseling, Mental Health, Prevention, VUMC

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Alcohol Use Self-Assessment

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:30:59 +0000

Alcohol Use Self-Assessment

Services, Services for Staff, Work/Life Connections

admin Mon, 01/30/2012 - 15:30 RSS:

Work/Life Connections

According to the World Health Organization's moderate drinking guidelines, women should consume no more than one 5 ounce serving of alcohol per day, and men are to consume no more than two 5 ounce serving of alcohol per day. A 5 ounce serving of alcohol is equal to one shot of 100 proof liquor or a 12 ounce mug of beer. In addition, women should not consume more than 4 alcoholic beverages on any occasion, and men should not consume more than 5. The more a person goes over these recommended amounts of alcohol consumption, the higher his or her risk for alcohol dependence.

Please answer "Yes" or "No" if you have engaged in or experienced any of the following behaviors over the past month.

Drank more than 5 drinks on one occasion of drinking
Forgot events after a night of drinking
Felt guilt or remorse after drinking alcohol
Had trouble at home due to alcohol use
Had trouble at work due to alcohol use
Missed work or an activity because of alcohol use
Hid or lied about alcohol use
Needed alcohol in the morning after night of drinking
Been unable to go without drinking for long periods
Had tremors or other symptoms due to not having alcohol
Had family or others voice concern about alcohol use

If you answered "Yes" to 3 or more of these, then you might be misusing alcohol. If you are concerned about your alcohol use, please seek medical and/or psychological support. If you are a VUMC faculty or staff member, you can start by calling Work/Life Connections – EAP at (615) 936-1327 for a free, confidential assessment.

Please consult the Vanderbilt Health and Wellness Resource Library for more information on Substance Use Issues.

Tags

Addiction, Change, Counseling, Mental Health, VUMC

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