Employee Wellness and Financial Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, offered through ComPsych, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are two ways to access these benefits:

1) Call 833-515-0768. You’ll speak to a counseling professional who will listen to your concerns and can guide you to the appropriate services you require.
2) Visit GuidanceResources Online at https://www.guidanceresources.com/groWeb/login/login.xhtml and enter our university ID: UNCAEAP.

Remember, your Faculty and Staff Assistance Program benefits are strictly confidential. To view the ComPsych HIPAA privacy notice, please go to www.guidanceresources.com/privacy.

The Leah Karpen Emergency Loan Program for UNC Asheville Employees

This fund provides UNC Asheville permanent employees with a low interest alternative to borrow small amounts for emergency situations. The forms are linked in the policy. https://administration.unca.edu/policies/3253

State Employees Credit Union

A resource for employee loans (including salary advance loans). They have a few loan options for employees. Here is a link to their coronavirus message page: https://www.ncsecu.org/Home/CoronavirusConcerns.html

Food Equity Initiative

Food Equity Initiative: The mission of this UNC Asheville program is to ensure that every member of the UNC Asheville community has access to adequate, culturally appropriate and nutritious food for themselves and their families.
https://foodequity.unca.edu/

General Resources

The CDC webpage on managing anxiety and stress provides a practical overview of self-care and resources. The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a comprehensive information and resource guide that addresses self-care and community/national resources.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tip sheet answers questions about COVID-19, social distancing, quarantine and isolation.

The American Psychological Association website offers resources and links of various types.

The World Health Organization has a 20-page guide focused on addressing mental health aspects of COVID-19.

Daily Strategies

The National Alliance on Mental Illness recommends daily strategies for self-care and awareness. Following is a summary of general recommendations:

Space. Create a structured, dedicated work environment, and include regular patterns of self-care.

Routine. Try to maintain a routine that reflects your normal day routine, including how you dress and structured breaks for lunch and mini-breaks.

Activity. Regular exercise and mindfulness activities are key during times of crisis. Exercise and mindfulness activities help mitigate depression and anxiety while improving cognition and confidence. Develop a daily routine for both, even if this is as simple as a 15-minute walk and/or quiet time with deep breathing.

Time and Energy Management. Be mindful of over- or under-working. Try to structure your daily work in a way that mirrors your normal workplace hours. In addition to time management, be aware of the way in which you eat, self-talk, and communicate with others. Self-compassion and self-care provide stability and confidence.

Accessibility. Develop ways in which you are accessible to colleagues, friends and family.

Face Time and Connectivity. Humans need to feel and be connected. Utilize video tools such as Microsoft Teams, Skype, Facetime, Google Hangouts, Facebook and WhatsApp to connect visually.

Resources. Map out your important resources, ranging from daily necessities to emergency management.

Support. The National Alliance on Mental Health Illness website provides a comprehensive guide to national and local resources. Know that there is help when needed.

Self-care is crucial in times of stress. We hope these resources are helpful as we all try to adapt to the evolving nature of this situation. Be well and please take care of yourselves and one another.

Resilience and Stress Management Resources for Faculty and Staff

The attached emails below will highlight available resources focused primarily on emotional wellness, mental health, and resilience for faculty and staff in a concise and user-friendly manner.

“IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS” WELL-BEING email campaign 1

“IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS” WELL-BEING email campaign 2

“IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS” WELL-BEING email campaign 3

“IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS” WELL-BEING email campaign 4

“IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS” WELL-BEING email campaign 5

“IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS” WELL-BEING email campaign 6

“IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS” WELL-BEING email campaign 7

“IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS” WELL-BEING email campaign 8

For additional resources visit https://myapps.northcarolina.edu/hr/health-safety/fac-staff-resilience/