EAP NEWS UAlbany Employees’ Link to Resources for Health & Well-Being

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a New York

State joint labor/management program that is a negoti-

ated benefit for employees. Faculty members and staff

from the various unions (CSEA, UUP, PEF, NYSCOPBA,

PBANYS, and GSEU), Management/Confidential (MC),

and other employee affiliations on campus (the

Research Foundation, UAS, the Albany Foundation),

family members, and retirees are eligible to use the con-

fidential EAP Information, Assessment, and Referral

Service and attend EAP-sponsored programs.

The mission of UAlbany’s EAP is to assist in maintain-

ing a healthy and productive workforce. We hope you’ll

enjoy receiving the monthly EAP E-News and will take

advantage of the EAP services and programs that are

offered. Be sure to check out the EAP website from time

to time throughout the year to discover helpful

resources and learn about upcoming EAP events and

programs. Best wishes for a productive and inspiring

2018-2019 academic year!

Exercise and Kudos for You

New Faculty and Staff...

Article Source: Frontline—Employee Wellness, Productivity & You! Frontline

newsletter is courtesy of the New York State Employee Assistance Program.

“And now we welcome the new year, full of

things that have never been.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke , poet and novelist (1875-1926)

Having a physical

fitness routine

offers benefits for

improved health

and managing

stress, but there

are more benefits

to exercise than

the release of feel-

good brain chemi-

cals and shaking off

tension.

One less-appreciated payoff of exercise is achieving the

goal of your exercise session, chalking it up as a success,

and benefiting from the positive self-talk that accompa-

nies it. Don’t minimize the impact of genuine self-kudos

and the role they play in stress management. This one

benefit is an additional motivational factor for partici-

pating in a regular exercise program. When we feel

positive self-esteem, successes lie ahead. These linkages

all contribute to improved personal and workplace

productivity. You do have time for exercise. What may be

missing are stronger reasons to get you moving. Add

some positive self-talk to the mix and see if it doesn’t stir

you to grab your sneakers.

Photo: Paul Miller

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Page 2 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Source for Articles: Frontline—Employee Wellness, Productivity & You! Frontline newsletter is courtesy of the New York State Employee Assistance Program.

Wellness and Prevention for Isolated Jobs

Whether you are a seafaring mariner on a cargo ship or a telecommuter who

enjoys a job with less structure, lots of alone time, and little contact with others,

take an inventory of your health habits. Isolated workers are at risk for sitting long-

er, skipping meals, suffering from substance abuse, eating more junk food, and

having irregular sleep patterns. Greater incidences of heart disease, periodontal

problems, alcoholism, kidney stones, and cancer are all potential consequences.

You may love the minimal structure of your position, but structure is good for people. Establish a routine so you are

not only productive, but also remain healthy.

How to Ask for Less Micromanagement Micromanagement is a common complaint among employees, but most micro-

management is not malicious. It stems from a lack of understanding of how to

delegate. A micromanager may actually trust you, but it’s fear that keeps him or her

from letting go. To intervene, don’t grow weary, stress out, or bark out your frustra-

tion. Instead, meet in private and explore the issue. If you have not done so before

now, you’ll discover the solution is likely good communication about each of your

needs. You may need two or three follow-up discussions to achieve consistency, but a

few more small progress reports from you might help resolve the issue.

Source: http://www.teleworkrecruiting.com

Plan for a Better Day Tomorrow Try jotting down your to-do list for tomorrow before going to sleep tonight. You

may sleep better. Surprisingly, the ritual helps you off-load thoughts, reduce

worry, and stress less about what lies ahead. The research seems to support another

often recommended productivity tip—planning ahead for the next day. This includes

jotting down your schedule, deciding what you will wear, planning breakfast, and

choosing the personal items you’ll take to work. Starting your day with less chaos,

having time and a few mini-successes, and experiencing less stress in the morning

can help you have a better day. Source: www.baylor.edu [in search article: 192388]

Page 3 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

To register, contact:

Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

518-442-5483 bseckerson@albany.edu

Or, register on online:

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Professional Development Workshop for Faculty and Staff *

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace is designed to help participants elevate their levels of emotional intelligence in order to increase personal effectiveness and improve professional relationships at work. Topics covered include:

understanding the personal competencies of self-awareness;

self-management;

social competencies of empathy; and

relationship management.

Workshop Facilitators: Christine Priest, UAlbany Coordinator of Training and Development

Gregory Sides, Professional Development Coordinator, Center for Public Health Continuing Education

Emotional Intelligence (EI): An individual’s ability to recognize and understand their emotions, while using

their self-awareness skills to manage themselves and their relationships

with others.

Tuesday, September 25

9:00 am—1:00 pm

Assembly Hall

Campus Center

*Supervisor’s approval required to attend.

Coffee, tea, and light breakfast fare

will be provided.

http://www.albany.edu/eap/event_sign-up.htm

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Mental Health at College

Source for Articles: Frontline—Employee Wellness, Productivity & You! Frontline newsletter is courtesy of the New York State

Employee Assistance Program.

Responsibilities faced by college students can be exciting but also stressful. Even well-

adjusted students can feel overwhelmed. When fear, depression, or anxiety hits, smart

students seek help from college mental health counseling services. Seeking help does

not mean a student is unable to handle the rigors of college life. Discuss college

resources with your student, including where to seek help. Be positive, upbeat, and op-

timistic, and de-stigmatize the idea of seeking help. Depression and suicide-related

issues are serious ones for young people and are part of why counseling resources exist. Federal privacy laws may

prevent colleges from notifying you that your student has sought help. If being made aware is important to you, inquire

about arranging permission in advance. This does not make you an overbearing “helicopter parent.” Do what makes

sense for your family.

A new school year is kicking off. Establishing and maintaining a good working

relationship with your child’s teacher(s) is an important aspect of supporting

your student’s success in the classroom and in the school environment. So,

what’s the best way to establish a positive relationship? Two resources to

check out are as follows:

The Child Development Institute has some helpful tips and insights into doing

this. The Institute has other great resources that might be beneficial as well. To

access the article, search for the title “Establishing a Parent-Teacher Relation-

ship.” https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/

PBS Kids website article “Parent-Teacher Partnership” also provides strategies to support this process.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/going-to-school/parent-involvement/parent-teacher-partnership/

Benzodiazepine Addiction: It’s Still Here

Cultivating a Positive Relationship with Your Child’s Teacher

Addiction to benzodiazepines (benzos) could become a national crisis because anxiety dis-

orders, often treated with benzos, are also increasing. Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax are ex-

amples of benzos. Sleep problems and panic attacks are also treated with benzos. One in 20

people are prescribed benzos in the U.S., and addiction is possible, even when they are used

as prescribed. Withdrawal reactions make benzos the most dangerous drugs to quit unsu-

pervised. If you are using benzos and experience sleep problems, diarrhea, vomiting, nau-

sea, goose bumps, uncontrollable leg movements, and muscle pains, see your doctor and

follow his or her instructions.

Page 5 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Are you finding yourself struggling with any of

the following?

Family, parenting, and relationship issues

Work stress and conflict

Substance abuse or dependency

Elder care

Mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety)

Legal and/or financial concerns

Grief and loss

Or anything else related to work or home that is

causing you undue stress and affecting your ability to be as productive as you once were?

You don’t have to deal with it alone. Support is available through UAlbany’s Employee Assistance

Program (EAP). The mission of UAlbany EAP is to provide services to support a healthy, productive work-

force. Available to all employees is the voluntary, confidential Information, Assessment, and

Referral Service provided by UAlbany EAP Coordinator, Brenda Seckerson. Take advantage of this

confidential assistance available to you as an employee benefit.

Confidential support, information, and

referrals are available through EAP to assist

you in finding a way to address your concerns.

Early intervention is the key! Contact EAP.

Employee Assistance Program-sponsored events and

services are open to UAlbany and Research Foundation

faculty, staff, family members, UAS employees, GSEU

members and retirees.

“A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on its own wings.”

~Unknown

To schedule an appointment for a

confidential Information, Assessment &

Referral session, contact:

Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

518-442-5483

bseckerson@albany.edu

EAP Website: http://www.albany.edu/eap

Photo: Kathy Zazarine

Page 6 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

As the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) states, “Addiction can happen to

anyone, any family, at any time.” The OASAS website has important information regarding prevention as well as how

to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid drug abuse.

To access the OASAS resources, click here.

Call the OASAS helpline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (I-877-846-7369).

Contact UAlbany EAP for a confidential conversation if you have concerns about

heroin or prescription drug abuse. Support and help is available!

bseckerson@albany.edu 518-442-5483

September is National Recovery Month

“Got5” is a

new text service

available through

the New York

State Office of

Mental Health.

Mental and substance use disorders affect millions of

Americans. Supporting recovery strengthens our families

and our communities, encourages public awareness, and

helps people begin their recovery journeys. If you or some-

one you know is struggling, contact UAlbany EAP 518-442-

5483 or call 1-800-662-HELP for treatment referrals. Visit

https://recoverymonth.gov for information on prevention,

treatment, and recovery support services. You can help

yourself or someone you love take the first step toward

recovery. Celebrate National Recovery Month, and spread

the messages that prevention works, treatment is effec-

tive, and people recover.

Page 7 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

The Butt Stops Here© is an award-winning program that has helped thousands to stop smok-

ing! The program consists of six one-hour sessions and includes a workbook and two weeks

of nicotine patches or gum. The program provides group support and is led by facilitator

trained by St. Peter’s Health Partners.

Thursdays, September 27—November 1, 2018

Noon—1:00 pm*

Room 367, Campus Center

EAP Lunchtime Wellness Program

*NOTE: If you are interested in attending

this program, you may request from your

supervisor release time to extend your

lunch break to participate.

To Register Contact:

Brenda Seckerson, UAlbany EAP Coordinator

bseckerson@albany.edu

Call 442-5483 or register online

http://www.albany.edu/eap/event_sign-up.htm

Participant Program Fee:

$10.00 due at first session**

CDPHP Members—Bring your insurance

card to the first session. Program fee is

covered by CDPHP.

**The regular $45.00 program fee has been

subsidized by the American Cancer Society to

defray the program costs for employees.

Can’t attend the program on campus?

St. Peter’s Health Partners offers community classes. To access the class schedule, click here.

Page 8 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Don’t Let Campus Parking Prevent You From Using Your EAP Benefit Attention UAlbany and Research Foundation employees who do not need to purchase a faculty/staff parking decal

because their work location is not on the Uptown and/or Downtown campuses: Here are some options for free trans-

portation and free parking on campus to enable you to use your EAP benefit.

When registering for an EAP program, mention that you need to access visitor parking on campus. EAP will be able

to sponsor parking at the Collins Circle visitor lot. At least a two-day

notice is needed to secure this visitor parking option.

Use your UAlbany ID to ride one of the CDTA buses for FREE to get to

campus. http://www.albany.edu/pmts/mass_transit.php

Use your UAlbany ID to ride one of the campus shuttles.

For Those in a Supervisory/Managerial Role...

Need a good way to support your staff’s health and well-being? Encourage your employees to take advantage of

the noontime EAP wellness program offerings when topics are of interest to them. By now we all know that it is a

myth to think that not taking a lunch break and working non-stop throughout the day will ensure more work gets

done. The body needs to stretch and move. The mind needs a change of scenery to help us refresh and keep on keep-

ing on. Supporting employees to attend EAP Lunchtime Wellness Programs can:

offer the opportunity to get away from the work area during lunchtime (instead of eating at a desk or work station

all of the time);

provide the chance to meet other University employees and make new connections;

gain new information designed to support well-being which can help to promote productivity; and

boost employee morale and appreciation for the University’s support to make positive changes in one’s life.

Remember that the EAP Lunchtime Wellness Programs can provide a great way to help accomplish this. And don’t

forget to attend a program that you are interested in, too. EAP wellness programs are a benefit for ALL UAlbany

employees!

EAP Lunchtime Wellness Programs

WellNYS Everyday Monthly Challenges Want a way to help you stay focused on your healthy behaviors

each day of the week? Participate in the WellNYS Everyday

Monthly Challenges sponsored by New York State EAP. This self-

paced program completed on an honor system provides you with

a different challenge at the beginning of each month. Tracking

your progress makes it easier to meet your goals! To learn more and to register to participate, go to:

https://wellnys.goer.ny.gov/

Page 9 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Role Reversal:

Your Aging Parents and You

Did you know… The most important step

of the estate planning

process is to protect your

hard-earned assets before

you transfer them?

Join Sheila Cervera, Certified Long-Term Care

Specialist, as she discusses the challenges we face as

we become responsible for aging parents. Learn the

steps to protect the well-being of your family and

how to devise a plan to safeguard family assets.

Health Sciences

Campus September 11

Noon—1:00 pm

Room 110A

School of Public Health

Join us for

this free

seminar and

learn from a

certified

EAP Financial

Wellness

Lunchtime

Program

To Register Contact:

Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

bseckerson@albany.edu

Call 442-5483 or register online

http://www.albany.edu/

eap/event_sign-up.htm

Uptown

Campus September 18

Noon—1:00 pm

Room 375

Campus Center

Page 10 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

EAP Lunchtime Wellness Program

Join us for this 8 week class where we will

gently breathe and stretch our way to a com-

fortable body and more relaxed mind. No

previous yoga experience needed to gain the

benefits of this centuries-old practice. All

movements are done seated or standing with

the chair for support. Learn techniques that

you can use at your desk!

Comments from past class

participants:

“Judi is an inspiration. She keeps us

moving and informed about the benefits

of what we are practicing. Most

importantly, it is fun.”

“An oasis in the middle of a busy day.”

Instructor: Judi England, RN, licensed massage therapist, and professionally certified Kripalu yoga instructor. Judi has offered programs in wellness, yoga, and meditation for over 20 years in the Capital Region. Her blog “Holistic Health” has appeared in the Times Union for ten years.

Class Fee: $60.00

Make check out to Judi England.

Make arrangements to submit payment to EAP Office—MSC Room 200.

Registration deadline—September 10

To Register Contact: Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

bseckerson@albany.edu 518.442.5483

HTTP://WWW.ALBANY.EDU/EAP/EVENT_SIGN-UP.HTM

Wednesdays*

12:00 noon–12:45 pm

September 12– November 7, 2017

No class on Sept. 19

University Library

Staff Lounge, Room B05

*Minimum of 10 participants

needed to conduct the class.

Sit and Get Fit Chair Yoga Class

Page 11 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

http://www.albany.edu/eap/event_sign-up.htm

Page 12 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Take Advantage of the EAP Office Lending Library Compiled by Oscar Nunez, EAP Office Work Study Student

Studies show that the right side of the brain is used for creativity, while the left side of

the brain is all about analyzing, organizing, etc. If you are typically a creative person,

you might be less organized, but that doesn’t have to be true. Dorothy Lehmkuhl and

Dolores Cotter Lamping, authors of Organizing for the Creative Person, outline many

ways to stay organized for those creative, right-brain people. The book will help you

find an organizing style that can work for you. It also can help those individuals who

deal with coworkers or spouses who may be disorganized.

Are you one who feels that they are always running behind on things? Never Be Late

Again by Diana DeLonzor is a practical, witty, and entertaining book on how to find a

way to be on time. The book offers seven unique ways to overcome chronic lateness.

Additionally, and maybe more importantly, it can help you find the deeper meaning

as to why you might always be late. DeLonzor teaches you how to tackle the psycho-

logical side of being late and can help you break that habit.

One of the many challenges we face today at home or in a professional setting is

organizing and managing our time. Julie Morgenstern, author of Time Management

from the Inside Out, explains how to use these challenges for good. As the book states,

Morgenstern will help you “uncover your psychological strengths and stumbling blocks

and create a time-management system that suits your individual needs.”

Visit the Library page on the EAP website for a full list of topics, books, and DVDs/CDs that the EAP Lending

Library has available. Contact EAP if you would like to borrow any materials. bseckerson@albany.edu

With the start of a new academic year, it’s a perfect time to think about our organizational and time management

skills. These skills can help to keep ourselves on track and minimize stress. This month’s book offerings from the EAP

Lending Library focus on these topics. Take advantage of library resources designed to help provide you with some

tools and encouragement to set yourself up for a successful year here at UAlbany and at home!

Page 13 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Green Workspace Challenge The Green Workspace Challenge is a self-reporting framework for faculty and staff to

make their workplaces more sustainable while gaining recognition for their progress.

The self-assessment tool guides faculty and staff through a wide range of sustainable

practices relating to waste, energy, procurement, transportation, meetings, kitchens and

campus engagement. A workspace may also pursue innovations points to earn recogni-

tion for practices that are not listed in the self-assessment tool. The Challenge is

designed to engage the full spectrum of offices on campus. By defining your workspace,

the Challenge allows you to account for the spaces and include the people that make

sense for your office. Weaving sustainability into your operations and modeling best

practices reduces our environmental impact, and together we are creating an atmosphere that tells students that

sustainability is highly valued at UAlbany.

Become a Sustainability Coordinator!

The Office of Sustainability is looking for representatives from every

division and department on campus. The Sustainability Coordinators Committee gives university employees the oppor-

tunity to work with the Office of Sustainability on various Green Scene initiatives. All coordinators complete a training

and agree to serve as the point person for sustainability matters. Coordinators have access to specialized professional

development opportunities in the field of sustainability. The group meets once a month during the fall and spring

semesters.

If you would like to join

or nominate someone

from your area, please

contact the office at

gogreen@albany.edu. Leadership University

Service

Professional

Development

Communication

Sustainability

Coordinator

To learn more or to fill out the self-assessment, please head to

www.albany.edu/gogreen and click on the “Featured” tab.

Page 14 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Facilities are free to use for faculty and staff. Simply show your UAlbany ID to access. Passes for the group exercise class can be purchased at the Recreational Sales Office (PE Building).

Fall Semester Sales Office Hours Monday- Thursday : 9am-9pm

Friday: 9am-8pm Sat. & Sun. 10am-8pm

UAlbany Campus Recreation Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Spin, and Barre. These are just a few types of group exercise classes available to students, faculty, and staff by Campus Recreation. A group exercise class pass for faculty/staff is only $50 for the fall semester. Such a deal!

Information regarding how to purchase a pass or other services available at Campus Recreation can be found at: https://www.albany.edu/campusrecreation/membership.php

For class descriptions and further information: https://www.albany.edu/campusrecreation/group_exercise.php

Questions can be directed to: campusrecreation@albany.edu.

EAP-sponsored events and services are

open to UAlbany & Research Foundation

faculty, staff, family members, UAS

employees, retirees and GSEU members.

UAlbany EAP E-News

September 2018

Publisher/Contributor

Brenda Seckerson

Contributor

Jessica Blasioli

Cassidy Drasser

Oscar Nunez

Copy Editors

Joanne Bocchino

Kathy Gurney

Merissa Mabee

Clipart/Photos

Frontline Newsletter

Openclipart.org

Paul Miller

Publicdomainpictures.net

Kathy Zazarine

EAP website:

http://www.albany.edu/eap

Page 15 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Disclaimer: Material presented

in this newsletter is intended for

educational or informational

purposes only. It is not intended

to replace the advice of a quali-

fied health professional.

EAP is a joint labor/management program and is part of the NYS Employee Assistance Program. Contact Info: 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235 ~ 518.486.9769

Looking for fun things to do during the fall season?

The I Love NY website provides a great listing of

fall events and festivals.

https://www.iloveny.com/events/festivals/

The University Health Center has invited a pharmacy to come to campus to provide student, faculty, and staff with flu vaccinations. Most insurance is accepted! For questions, contact the Health Center. (518) 442-5454

Thursday, September 13, 2018 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Uptown Campus at Campus Center The “BEAN” (outside Starbucks)

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 – 12:00 to 3:00 pm

Downtown Campus at Rudolf Room (Husted 110)

Thursday, October 11, 2018 – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Health Sciences Campus at George Education Auditorium

Wednesday, October 17, 2018 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Uptown Campus at Campus Center The “BEAN” (outside Starbucks)