MHealthy Update

To view the full text on the Web, please click this link: www.mhealthy.umich.edu/news/employee-newsletter/february.html

Addressing stress in the workplace
Health questionnaire results from 2009 – 2011 revealed stress as one of the most prevalent health risk factors for U-M faculty and staff. In 2010, approximately 64 percent of employees reported moderate or high levels of stress. Studies show that continued high stress raises your risk for physical and mental concerns, including depression, anxiety, upset stomach, high blood pressure, high heart rate, sleep disturbances, Type 2 diabetes, headaches, difficulty concentrating, short temper, job dissatisfaction, and low morale.¹

MHealthy created a Stress Management Task Force of experts from across the university to recommend stress management activities that improve health and well-being. The Task Force recommended a three-tiered, multi-year approach to impact the individual, group dynamics, and overall workplace culture and is now working with our university partners to develop programs and activities. Learn more about their recommendations.

The university currently offers resources for faculty and staff and their immediate family addressing a broad range of mental and emotional health topics, including stress. The Understanding U website is a useful resource for all employees trying to address stress in their life. The site includes information, resources, online screenings, and classes that can help you better understand yourself and feel your best (see "Sign Up Today" section). For further assistance and guidance with stress, you can also contact one of the university's assistance programs:

Health System employees – Contact UMHS Employee Assistance Program (UMHS EAP) at 734-763-5409 or eap@umich.edu or visit the UMHS EAP website.
Ann Arbor campus and Flint campus employees – Contact U-M Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) at 734-936-8660 or fasap@umich.edu or visit the FASAP website
Dearborn employees - Call the FASAP Dearborn office at 313-593-5430.

To learn more, visit the Understanding U website.

¹Health Enhancement Systems, Achieving Peak Energy and Reducing Stress, 2009

Why completing a health questionnaire makes a difference
Since 2009, the university has encouraged benefits-eligible faculty and staff to complete an annual online health questionnaire. By doing so, you stay informed about your current health and potential health risks and learn about resources to help you achieve your health goals. It's also important to see changes in health risks from year to year – even small adjustments in your eating habits, stress level, or fitness routine can have an impact on your long-term health. Being more aware gives each of us the opportunity to take action sooner and help minimize or even prevent future health problems.

For the university, having information on our collective health means we can target and customize worksite wellness programs (see "Addressing stress in the workplace" article), certain benefit plan features and other resources to improve our community's health. The aggregate data collected also helps us determine the impact of our current wellness programs on our community and whether our collective health is improving.

The university offers support to faculty and staff who are experiencing a change in their ability to perform effectively at work. The Change in Ability website can help guide you to the most appropriate offices and resources if you are experiencing a change related to a personal medical condition such as cancer or arthritis; a physical disability such as a change in vision, hearing or other sensory issue; or a cognitive, mental or emotional change such as a brain injury, depression, or a learning disability. Changes can be temporary or permanent. Learn more...