Healthy employees are happy employees. Employee wellness is important as it plays a vital role in the workplace. The University offers a number of programs to help employees health and wellness.
Crisis Leave Program
The Crisis Leave Program is a means of providing paid leave to an eligible employee who has experienced a catastrophic illness or injury to themselves or an eligible family member. The intent of the program is to assist employees who, through no fault of their own, have insufficient paid leave to cover the crisis leave period.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) was established to provide employees and their families with opportunities to obtain assistance for a variety of personal problems which may affect their continued functioning as productive members of the University community or society at large.
Mental Health
Here are some easy tips to help encourage a healthy workplace.
- Walk and Talk: Research has suggested that walking makes people more creative. Turn meetings into walking meetings, or take a break and go for a walk during lunch with your peers, while socially distancing. You'll return to work feeling refreshed, mentally and physically.
- Hydrate: Don't forget to stay hydrated throughout the day. It is recommended to drink 11-15 cups a day. Bring a reusable water bottle to work or a water-filtering jug for a refrigerator can be helpful.
- Snack Attack: Set a "healthy snacks only" policy for the items in the office. Find healthy alternatives around campus or in the vending machine.
- Play Day: Have some fun! Play sports with your colleagues, organize inter-departmental tournaments, or organize attending a workout session together, whether it is virtual or in-person.
- Sneaky Steps: Sneak-in extra steps when and wherever possible. Park your car in the furthest parking spot from the office, ditch the elevator and take the stairs, and stop by a colleague's desk (with your mask) from time to time instead of sending an email.
The LSU Benefits team highlights mental health and wellness within our LSU community.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists the 5 major types of anxiety disorders which include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder).
The Anxiety & Depression Associationa of America on anxiety and stress in the workplace. This guide offers various tips to manage, getting help and resources.
The Center for Disease Control offers statistics on depression in the workplace and health strategies.
The Center of Workplace Mental Health under the American Psychiatric Association Foundation highlights why recognizing anxiety in the workplace matters to getting help and making your workplace environment less anxious.
Post-Traumatic Sterss Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs highlights PTSD Treatment Basics with options for recommended treatment plans and personal videos from someone with PTSD and how to get help with treatment.
If you are interested in a service dog to help with PTSD, Service Dogs of America has online applicatio and guidelines and requirements to getting a service dog.
The American Psychological Association highlights ways to coping with stress at work.
The Pomodoro Technique is an effective time management tool that isused to hlep get tasks done more efficiently while giving you breaks to relax your mind.
View the National Istitute of Mental Health's overview, signs and symptoms, and treatment options for someone with OCD.
The International OCD Foundation provides 25 Tips for Succeeding in Your OCD Treatment.
The McLean Hospital of the Harvard Medical School details the difference between panic vs. anxiety.
The National Institute of Mental Health gives information of coping with panic attacks.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under the U.S. Department fo Health and Human Services reviews the symptoms, causes, treatment and more on Insomnia.
The Center for Workplace Mental Health under the American Psychiatric Association Foundation highlights how costly insomnia in the workplace is and tips for employers.
View the American Psychological Association's article on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).