TO: Sonoma State Employees
FR: Wellness Program, Payroll and Benefits
Prioritizing mental health is essential to our overall health and well-being. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month (May), we wanted to take this opportunity to remind employees of upcoming wellness opportunities on campus. Similarly, employees are encouraged to reach out to their healthcare provider to access additional no-cost wellness apps, programs, and resources to help thrive in mind, body, and spirit.
Blood Drive
In partnership with SSU Student Involvement and Student Clubs, Vitalant will be hosting an on-campus blood drive tomorrow and offering a $10 Amazon gift card promotion redeemable by email.
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
10am-2pm
Parking Lot D, Bloodmobile
Appointment Link
(appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins also welcome)
Yoga Classes
Lunchtime yoga classes are open to all experience levels and are a great opportunity to meet employees from other units, while also taking a break to stretch and enjoy a midday reset!
- Mondays and Thursdays (12:05 - 12:55pm, Ives 80): Meditative Yoga with Jeanne Janae
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12:05 - 12:55pm, Ives 80): Yoga Flow with Kim Purdy
Mindfulness and Self-Care Classes
On Fridays from 12-12:30pm, please consider joining our 30-minute virtual Mindfulness and Self Care classes with Dr. Andy Wallace, SSU Philosophy professor (pre-registration required). Each class begins with a short description of mindfulness followed by a 15-20 minute mindfulness-based exercise and concludes with a poem.
“The benefits of mindfulness stem, I believe, from the role that it plays in the human caregiving system. Kindness, compassion, and love are the system’s core emotions, and unconditional acceptance of self and other is its raison d’etre. When we meditate mindfully we activate or elicit those emotions and learn to care authentically for ourselves in the same loving spirit as we authentically care for others.” - Dr. Andy Wallace (bio)
Wellness Webinars
We are excited to share this month’s Wellness Webinar line up offered by Kaiser Permanente. These webinars are open to all employees, regardless of your health plan election. Pre-registration required, with the webinar remaining available on-demand for six months after the live stream.
Stress Busters
Explore sources of stress and learn coping skills.
May 3, 2023 (4 - 5pm)
Register
Practicing Kindness
Instilling skills to incorporate compassion into your everyday life.
May 17, 2023 (Noon - 1pm)
Register
Self-Compassion & Self-Care
Learn ways to recharge, rest, and spend time doing the things you love to do.
May 17, 2023 (4 - 5pm)
Register
Headaches and Migraines
Learn ways to manage headaches and migraines.
May 25, 2023 (12:30 - 1:30pm)
Register
Power of Meditation
Learn ways to use meditation to aid with stress management.
May 31, 2023 (4 - 5pm)
Register
Employee Assistance Program - LifeMatters by Empathia
The employee assistance program (EAP) is designed to provide professional assistance to faculty, staff, and their families in assessing and resolving personal matters that may be affecting well-being or job performance. View the LifeMatters brochure or LifeMatters website guide for additional information regarding the wide array of resources available. Benefits include:
- 24/7 telephone assessment/counseling (1-800-367-7474)
- Access to MyLifeMatters (please email payroll@sonoma.edu to obtain the campus specific password)
- 3 free in-person counseling sessions with a local counselor
- Work/life resources and referrals
- Financial consultation with a certified financial counselor
- Legal consultation with an attorney
- Smoking Cessation Program
- Access to Spanish-speaking counselors
- …and more!
Additional information regarding our SSU Employee Wellness programs can be found here: https://hr.sonoma.edu/payroll/employee-wellness