Category: Wellness

Well Wisconsin Upcoming January Events

Well Wisconsin has some exciting events planned for January. Register now so you don’t miss out on these!

    • Virtual Cooking Series: Prenatal & Postpartum Meals:
      • The series kicks off Wednesday, January 8 at Noon; This is a 5-week series
      • Virtual cooking classes designed for soon-to-be moms, new moms, and anyone who wants to cook for them.
      • Registration Link
    • Virtual Fitness Classes: Strength Training 
      • This series kicks off Monday January 13 at 4pm. This is a 7 week class
      • Designed for all fitness levels. Build skills and confidence in strength training
      • Registration Link
    • Healthier Starts with You: An Overview of 2025 Well Wisconsin Resources
      • Tuesday January 14, 11 a.m
      • It’s not too early to look ahead to 2025. The Well Wisconsin program has grown significantly in the past two years. Join the January webinar to learn about all the beneficial programs that are available to you, including virtual and onsite activities planned throughout the year to help you find health and connection.
      • Registration Link
    • Workshop: Your “Why” for Well-Being
      • The series kicks off Thursdays January 16 at 1pm. This is 3 week workshop
      • This virtual workshop is designed to help you create a purposeful path toward your well-being goals. Workshop includes helping you discover your “why” for well-being and set smart goals. Find support for your goals with optional interactive events.
      • Registration Link
    • Restorative Yoga
      • Starting Friday January 17 at Noon. 7 week series
      • This fitness series is designed for the prenatal body, but all are welcome to join this gentle, slow paced yoga.
      • Registration Link
    • Snowshoe Event or Winter Hike
      • Wednesday, January 22 at 5pm
      • Whether you are new to this sport or experienced, connect with the community at Governor Nelson State Park in Waunakee, WI (near Madison).
      • A number of snowshoes will be provided for those who need them on a first-come, first-served basis.
      • Registration Link and more details

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk Managing Emotions

If you are looking for well-being tips and advice from local experts, Well Wisconsin Radio is the podcast for you!

December Episode: Building Resilience and Managing Emotions

Our emotions can quickly get the best of us, especially if we do not have an awareness or understanding of them. In this episode UWGB’s Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Ryan Martin, PhD, talks about different emotions such as anger and sadness, modern stressors that can create the “perfect storm,” and tools you can use to become more resilient when provoked.

Listen HERE!

You can listen to Well Wisconsin Radio podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify!

Employee Assistance Program & Resources

The Office of Human Resources understands that this time of year can be especially difficult for some individuals, that the current turbulence in our country and the world may cause unease, and that faculty and staff (and their families and friends) may be dealing with a great amount of stress and grief.  Our office is committed to providing resources to both employees and supervisors during this time.

The Office of Human Resources has created a Mental Health Support webpage as a one-stop-shop for the available resources available to employees. Check it out: Mental Health Support – Benefits & Wellness – Human Resources

Please see below for important resources that can be utilized at any time:

Employee Assistance Program

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Employee Assistance Program is a free, confidential service which can provide support for both personal and work-related concerns. Employees have access to confidential, completely private, 24-hour, 7-days-a-week counseling and online services.

EAP services are provided through Acentra:

Phone: (833) 539-7285

Website: sowi.mylifeexpert.com. (Username: SOWI).  Employees will need to create an account to access the EAP resources online.

Additional information pertaining to the resources available through the EAP may be found on the EAP Services and Resources Flyer.

State Group Health Insurance Program

Employees enrolled in State Group Health Insurance may utilize a number of resources through their health insurance carrier, including services directly by the primary care physician or specialist. Services provided are intended to treat mild to severe symptoms for various health and well-being topics. The cost of services are covered based on the employee’s health insurance plan design. There may be out-of-pocket costs for using services through this program.  Employees should contact their primary care physician or health insurance carrier for additional information.

Well Wisconsin Program

Employees enrolled in State Group Health Insurance are eligible for resources through the Well Wisconsin Program.  Certified WebMD Health Coaches are available for confidential one-on-one conversations to support mild symptoms for various health and well-being topics. Services are employer-paid, there is no cost to employees for using services through this program.  Services are administered by WebMD, the Well Wisconsin Program administrator. Contact WebMD at (800) 821-6591 or access their resources online at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin.

 

Mental Health Resources:

Grief Resources:

Monthly Webinars:

Acentra provides live monthly webinars on a wide variety of topics.  December’s webinar – The Connection Between Exercise and Mental Health – is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 12:30-1:30 p.m., and will explore how to get started on a healthy path towards improved mental health and how to stay motivated to reach your goals.  The monthly webinars are recorded, uploaded to Acentra’s website and available to view at your convenience.

 

Our office is also working to schedule additional webinars over the next couple of months and will be sending out more details as information becomes available. Please feel free to contact Human Resources at (920) 465-2390 or hr@uwgb.edu if you would like additional information or have any questions.

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk All Things Diabetes

If you are looking for well-being tips and advice from local experts, Well Wisconsin Radio is the podcast for you!

November Episode: Let’s Talk All Things Diabetes

Learn about diabetes prevention and management from one of the leading experts in the field, Dr. Richard Bergenstal. In Dr. Bergenstal’s work, he has tested most of the new diabetes drugs and devices before FDA approval and worked on many quality improvement studies related to diabetes. Take a listen at the discussion of diabetes through the lens of prevention, management, and how the treatment landscape has changed in recent years.

Listen HERE!

Bonus Episode: The Health Benefits of Birding

Learn about the habitat around you during this episode to discuss Wisconsin’s fall bird migration. Dive into the health benefits of birding, tips on how to advance your interest in this hobby, and some of the best places to birdwatch in Wisconsin.

Listen HERE!

You can listen to Well Wisconsin Radio podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify!

World Mental Health Day Today October 10th

October 10th is recognized as World Mental Health Day. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of mental health issues and to help recognize actions that can be taken to help support mental health.

Mental Health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also affects how we manage stress, relate to others, and make decisions.

At UW-Green we have extensive well-being resources available for employees! Take sometime today during World Mental Health Day to review the following resources available to you year-round!

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered through Kepro. Our EAP is a free, confidential service to you, dependents, spouse, and anyone living in your household. Kepro is available 24 hours, 7 days a week with counseling and online services.

Kepro provides up to six in person or virtual visits per person per issue per calendar year. All services are confidential and intended to help with mild to moderate symptoms for various mental health and well-being topics (including but not limited to anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and stress). Kepro also has recorded webinars/videos and other resources available to access.

To log in, visit the website at https://sowi.mylifeexpert.com/.

Company ID: SOWI

Phone number: 833-539-7285

State Group Health Insurance

Employees, spouses, and dependents who are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance (depending on health insurance plan design) can receive services. Depending on providers and plan there may be out-of-pocket costs for using mental health services through this program.

Using State Group Health Insurance, Kepro provides confidential mental health services directly by your primary care physician or specialist. Services are intended to provide treatment for mild to severe symptoms for various mental health and well-being topics (including but not limited to anxiety, depression, and stress).

Services are covered by the health insurance carrier you selected when you enrolled. Contact your primary care physician for additional information or contact your health insurance carrier to help you locate in-network providers that can assist with mental health services.

Well Wisconsin Program

Employees who are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance and covered spouses are able to use this program. Services are employer-paid/ there is no cost for using mental health services through this program.

WebMD has certified health coaches who are available for confidential one-on-one conversations to support mild symptoms for various mental health and well-being topics (including but not limited to anxiety, depression, and stress).

Contact WebMD at 800-821-6591

Website: WebMD ONE – Login (webmdhealth.com)

Mental Health 

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk Domestic Violence Awareness

If you are looking for well-being tips and advice from local experts, Well Wisconsin Radio is the podcast for you!

October Episode: Let’s Talk Domestic Violence Awareness

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In this episode listen to President and CEO of Sojourner Family Peace Center, Carmen Pitre, talk. Sojourner is Wisconsin’s largest service provider for families dealing with domestic violence (DV), providing crisis housing, system advocacy and individual support to women, children, and families across the state. Carmen dives into current DV trends, how we might recognize this is happening, some best practices to approach someone who may be in need, and resources available in Wisconsin.

Listen HERE!

NOTE to those eligible for the 2024 Well Wisconsin Incentive – Listening to two episodes of Well Wisconsin Radio from Season 3 dated November 2023 and later will qualify for your well-being activity credit.

October 11th Well Wisconsin Incentive Deadline

Earn your $150 Well Wisconsin Program incentive* by completing a health assessment, health check, and one well-being activity by October 11, 2024.

  1. Health Assessment: Log into the WebMD website and answer the assessment questions online. The assessment will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
  2. Health Check: Choose from the options below to complete this requirement:
    • Biometric Screening: Check the WebMD website for clinics located near you.
    • Health Care Provider Form: Report your height, weight, and blood pressure from a visit with your health care provider. Your health care provider does not need to sign this form.
    • Preventive Dental Exam: Get a dental cleaning and report it through the WebMD website.
    • Health Coaching Call: Discuss your current health with a WebMD health coach, set well-being goals and explore solutions to help you attain your goals.
  3. Well-Being Activity: Select a WebMD activity, complete it, and report it through the WebMD website.

Once you have earned your incentive, you can choose to receive your gift card electronically or mailed to the address you have on file with the UW System.

* You and your spouse are eligible to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin Program incentive if you are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program.

To learn more, review the UW System Well Wisconsin Program web page.

Annual Benefits Fair

Mark your calendar to attend the Annual UW-Green Bay Employee Benefits & Wellness Fair!

When: Thursday, October 10th, 2024

Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Where: University Union Phoenix Room, Green Bay campus

Please stop by to talk about your benefits and wellness to get helpful information as you consider options for the Annual Benefit Enrollment period. This year’s Annual Benefits Enrollment period is Monday, September 30 and goes through October 25, 2024.

Representatives from the following organizations will be looking forward to talking with you during the fair:

  • Edvest College Savings Plan (529 Plan)
  • Delta Dental (Dental Insurance: Uniform, Preventive, & Supplemental)
  • Acentra Health (Employee Assistance Plan EAP)
  • Optum (HSA & FSA)
  • Common Ground (Health Insurance)
  • Dean Health Plan & Dean Health Insurance-Prevea360
  • HealthPartners Robin by HealthPartners (Health Insurance)
  • Network Health Plan (Health Insurance)
  • HealthChoice (Long-Term Care)
  • TIAA (403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program)
  • Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (457 Program)
  • UW System HR (Benefits Counseling Team)
  • UWGB Wellness Committee
  • UWGB UREC
  • UW Credit Union

Questions? Please contact us at hr@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2390.