Wellness and Self Care
When you work as hard as you do, taking care of yourself is most likely the last item on your to-do list. At Harvard, you have access to a wide range of programs that support your well-being.
HSHP’s Fitness Benefit
The Fitness Benefit provides reimbursement to benefits eligible HSPH faculty, staff, and postdocs for a health club membership. Click here for information about the HSHP Fitness Benefit, including eligibility requirements.
Healthy Harvard
Managing stress effectively and maintaining psychological resilience are key components of a balanced life. As a Harvard University faculty or staff member you have access to a variety of health and wellness resources that can help you stay positive and healthy year-round. HARVie has resources listed in areas of physical activity, massage and acupuncture, mindfulness meditation, social supports, healthy eating and rest, spirituality, and personal finances. For information on HSPH’s onsite Weight Watcher’s Meetings, click here.
Harvard’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Harvard’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential help for all Harvard paid faculty, staff, and postdocs and their household members. You can reach the EAP at 877-327-4278 any day, at any time for counseling, online resources, webinars and seminars to help with any personal, family, or work-related issue including information on writing a Will; preventative measures for Cancer, Stress, or Heart disease; smoking and tobacco cessation; seeking Child Care or Elder Care Housing; or investing to name a few. You and any member of your household can call the EAP for confidential consultation and referrals to experts near work or home.
Family Medical Leave and Flexible Work Arrangements
Harvard offers Family Medical Leave benefits for when one is faced with caring for yourself or a dependent. Our leave of absence administrator will provide you with customized plans based on your employment and situation. The Work/Life program manager can help you think through flexible workplace arrangements that will help meet your department needs with the schedule you are proposing. Managers and supervisors are not obligated to grant requests, and some units and jobs may not be suited to flexible schedules. Please contact your HR Partner to talk through potential options that best meet your personal and department needs for the particular job you are currently in.
Meditation Practices
- Wednesday’s, Kresge 203, 12:30-1:30: Led by David Arond, MD,MPH ‘76 Health Policy and Managementand Laura Smeaton, MS Senior Biostatistician Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research
Violence At Home Or At Work
If you feel as though you are in danger there are professionals who can help you.
- At work: Harvard University Police Department (HUPD): 617-495-1212
- At work: Your HSPH HR Partner: 617-432-0979
- At home: Harvard’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 1-877-327-4278
- Emergency/Crisis Contact List for HSPH
- Educational Seminars and other resources to gain skills and knowledge when involved with employees who are troubled or stressed.
Cancer Awareness
The Harvard School of Public Health is proud to hold CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ accreditation, recognizing the organization’s extraordinary commitment to the health of our employees and their families. Please see an article about this recent achievement. Cancer Diagnosis has an impact at home and at work no matter if you or a family member receives a diagnosis. There are many resources to support individuals at any stage from preventative screenings through diagnosis and treatments.
- Health Care Provider: Speak with your PCP about treatments, clinical trial participation, and preventative screenings.
- American Cancer Society is another great resource for cancer screening guidelines.
- EAP Articles on diagnosis, treatments, survivor stories, tests and more. (search on the word Cancer)
- General Information about participating in clinical trials
- Work/Life Educational Seminars hosts a cancer prevention and clinical trial awareness topic in February for National Cancer Awareness month
- Links to participating in clinical trials:
Tobacco Free Campus
As part of our continued commitment to enhancing our employee’s quality of life and the environment on campus, the Harvard Longwood Campus is pleased to announce that it will be a 100% tobacco-free community as of March 16, 2009. Please see our campus map.
Links
Benefit Resources to Quit Smoking:
Human Resources
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Harvard University Employee Assistance Program
Harvard University Group Health Plan (HUGHP)
Other Resources to Quit Smoking (not affiliated with Harvard):
American Lung Association
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
National Cancer Institute
Smokefree.gov
Try to Stop