Wellbeing Hotline

Take Pride in your Health and Well-being

June 29, 2022June 29, 2022Wellbeing, Wellbeing Hotline

During Pride Month, we take time to celebrate and reflect on the efforts and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community. A large part of accepting ourselves and our loved ones starts on the inside and works its way out. Loving one another and our own uniqueness takes bravery, self-compassion, and self-discovery. Practicing mindfulness and speaking with intention can help our community overcome uncertainty, navigate injustice, live authentically, find inner safety, cultivate joy, and grow resilience.

This month, try out Headspace and its new meditations for mindful language. Learn how meditation can help us be who we want to be and offer support to the many people in the LGBTQIA+ community as a place to heal and grow. Just search the app for these guided exercises:

Pride Affirmations meditation. Embrace your whole self through affirmations.
Living Authentically meditation. Greet your queer self with more kindness and acceptance.
Growing Compassion meditation. Act as an ally with radical compassion

If you or someone you know is struggling with their self-identity and acceptance, provided below are some helpful resources. Additionally, you and your household members can give the GW EAP a call for free, confidential support and referrals for 24/7 in-the-moment support.

Think Tank Podcast: Self-Identity and Belonging

Time for a Checkup!

May 16, 2022May 16, 2022Mental Health, Wellbeing, Wellbeing Hotline

Physical health check-ups

We all know that our annual physical is important. Those checkups help catch health conditions and diseases early. And finding out sooner gives healthcare providers the best chance of starting the right treatment. It’s no different with mental health.

Mental health check-ups

Mental health symptoms may not be as noticeable as the flu, but checking in with your provider can identify if you’re struggling. Talk to your health care provider about any changes in your feelings, mood or behaviors. Let them know how you manage stress and anxiety.

A professional can help you learn new ways to manage sadness, worry or other overwhelming feelings. Taking action early to treat your symptoms can reduce the chance of things getting worse.

When it feels like too much

If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, fear, low self-esteem or lack of interest in things you used to enjoy, ask your health care provider for a mental health check-up or referral to a specialist. It can start you down the path to feeling better. You and your healthcare professional can discuss options for treatment including exercise, mental health education, counseling and medication.

Visit mhascreening.org for a free.private.anonymous screening.

Better Mental Health for All

May 16, 2022May 17, 2022Mental Health, Wellbeing, Wellbeing Hotline

For You: Practice self-care every day to build resilience

When you make time to care for yourself, it’s easier to help others. Self-care includes taking part in activities you enjoy as well as tending to your hygiene, nutrition, exercise and mental health. It can also help you enjoy each day more. Exercising your brain to build resilience can help you prevent or reverse the effects of burnout. Try the mental health fitness exercises below.

Mindful meditation: Listen / Read the transcript
Grounding techniques: Listen / Read the transcript
Positive affirmations: Watch the video / Read the transcript

For Children: Mental health awareness: Children and teens

It’s never too early to address mental health needs. Young people need support for their mental health now more than ever. In the U.S. “1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year” and of those only half receive treatment.¹Early interventions are the best opportunity for support and it all begins with awareness.

Watch this video or read the transcript to learn about the mental health needs of children and teens. For more information, check out these resources:

If you’re a parent or someone who works with children and teens, learn about school and local resources available to them and let them know you’re available to talk about their mental health needs or struggles.

¹Mental health by the numbers. Available at: NAMI.org. Accessed March 2022.

For Elders: Mental health is important at every age

According to the American Psychological Association, as many as one in every five people who are 55 or older have a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. But fewer than three percent of older adults seek professional help.¹ These mental health concerns should not be just considered a normal part of aging and can be helped.

To learn more, read Mental health and older adults and check out the Think Tank Older adults and mental health podcast series:Staying connected | Transcript

¹Growing mental and behavioral health concerns facing older Americans. Available at: APA.org. Accessed March 2022.

It’s time to talk about mental health

If we see someone who has a broken arm, we don’t shy away from asking what happened or offering support. But if we see someone struggling emotionally, we don’t always know what to say or how to help. Just like with physical health, it’s important to be comfortable talking about mental health.

Check out Talking to friends and family about mental health concerns for tips to help start the conversation. The more you understand mental health, the better you can help yourself and others through tough times.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health issues, reach out. You and your household members can give the GW EAP a call for free, confidential support and referrals for any emotional or mental health concerns you may have, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

National Caregiver’s Month

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019Employee Benefits, Wellbeing Hotline

November is National Family Caregivers Month, an opportunity to celebrate, recognize and raise awareness of family caregivers. Family caregivers want their loved ones to have the best care possible – at the doctor’s office, at the hospital, and at home. The Caregiver Action Network encourages family caregivers across our community to ask questions, explore options and share in the care decisions that affect the health and well‐being of their loved ones.

The GW Wellbeing Hotline offers tools and resources for GW employees looking for elder care. A great place to start is this resource guide, Choosing the Right Care for an Older Adult. For more Wellbeing Hotline resources, visit my.gwu.edu, click “log in” in the top left corner and select Wellbeing Hotline under the Working tab.

Caring for Loved Ones

This year’s theme is #BeCareCurious and is illustrated by the following actions:

Talk with your loved one to understand their goals for treatment.
Discuss treatment options with doctors.
Research conditions by speaking with doctors, nurses and pharmacists
Create a care plan after hospital stays. Will new medications and procedures need to be managed at home?

Support Groups

The Family Caregiver Alliance has partnered with Smart Patients to offer caregivers of loved ones a community for free to share, interact, and learn from each other in a safe, supportive environment. To learn more and join the community, visit the Smart Patients website. For assistance with navigating elder care, employees can use the Wellbeing Hotline for