Resource Roundup: National Mental Health Awareness Month

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. While thinking about ways you can care for yourself and those around you, below is a reminder of the resources offered for staff and faculty at the University. When life gets overwhelming, even just knowing what’s out there can help.

Creative expression

During the upcoming Year of Creativity at Pitt, employees shouldn’t forget that the Center for Creativity is open to staff and faculty as a place to recharge, regroup, learn or look at a problem from a new, creative angle. The center is housed on the lower level of the University Store on Fifth and is a dynamic space available for a variety of meetings or events. The center regularly hosts events open to the University community and conveniently held during lunchtime hours.

Mental wellness programming

As part of the University Senate’s committee on benefits and welfare, the mental wellness task force offers lunch and learns and hosts speakers, a book club and other discussions around work-life balance. Its most recent event was a lunch and learn that explored a condition called compassion fatigue. Linda Tashbook, chair of the task force, is available to answer questions about on-campus resources or hear ideas for additional services at tashbook@pitt.edu or 412-648-1303.

Health and wellness benefits

Life Solutions is Pitt’s free employee assistance program. It helps individuals and their families balance the work and stressors of daily life through personalized work-life referrals (elder care, child care, legal and financial consultation), 24-hour crisis support, disability and family medical leave outreach, online resources and more. Life Solutions counselors are available at or near all campuses.

“Every Pitt employee’s health and wellness is important,” said Cheryl Johnson, vice chancellor of human resources. The University’s support of staff and faculty wellbeing is where the  Wellness for Life program comes in, combining eight dimensions of wellbeing — physical, emotional, financial, environmental, intellectual, occupational, social and mindful — into services that encourage proactive health care practices and maintenance for staff and faculty.

The UPMC MyHealth@Work Center at the University of Pittsburgh is one such Wellness for Life service. At the on-campus health and wellness center exclusively for Pitt faculty and staff, employees can get free screenings, support and care from healthcare professionals for physical or mental health conditions.

Additionally, Pitt has an onsite wellness specialist and two health coaches. Health coaching is available for Pitt employees who are UPMC Health Plan members, either on campus, over the phone or online. Health coaches can help members get in shape, manage stress and make other healthy lifestyle changes.

Resources for students

Similar to the MyHealth@Work Center for faculty and staff, Pitt’s Student Health Services provides high-quality primary health care, prevention, health education and pharmacy services to students. The University Counseling Center (UCC) has a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers and advanced graduate trainees in various mental health disciplines that serve students. Counseling services at UCC include individual, couples and group therapy and workshops across campus that address topics such as anxiety management, financial wellness, healthy relationships and communication and self-care as social justice.

The University Counseling Center hired a new director, Jay Darr, in January 2019. Stay tuned to Pittwire throughout the summer for more on his plans for the UCC.

Category: