University of Texas at Austin
PA-13: Wellness Program

Student Wellness UT Austin has a variety of robust programs that support students’ health and well-being. In 2015 we received the Active Minds Healthy Campus Award, which recognizes the university as one of the healthiest campuses in the nation. We received this award for our outstanding services and the integration of health into all areas of campus. University Health Services is a full service medical clinic available to all UT Austin students. UHS offers general medicine, a 24/7 nurse advice line, urgent care, travel health, allergy and immunization shots, women’s health, nutrition services, physical therapy, sports medicine, STI testing, sexual assault forensic exams, labs and radiology. There is also an onsite pharmacy under the administration of the College of Pharmacy. The Office of Health Promotion in UHS addresses priority health issues on campus, including but not limited to: healthy sexuality, nutrition, body image, physical activity, hydration, prescription drug abuse, sleep, and high-risk drinking. Their evidence-based approach includes multi-level prevention strategies such as peer education, health education, social marketing, social norms initiatives, environmental change strategies, and strategic campus partnerships. UHS also works closely with the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), including an integrated health program in which counselors are located in the primary care clinic. CMHC offers extensive services, including but not limited to, groups and short-term individual counseling, a 24/7 crisis line, online anonymous self-assessment, alcohol and other drug consultations, a mindful eating program, and advocacy and counseling services for survivors of interpersonal violence. To reach more people CMHC started the CARE program and Diversity Coordinator program. CARE counselors are located within the colleges they serve and Diversity Coordinators are a group of clinicians with experience and training in working with UT’s diverse populations. CMHC also expanded the MindBody Lab to a second location. The MindBody Labs are self-paced environments designed to help students explore interactive tools to help cope with stress. CMHC offers a number of prevention and outreach programs, including suicide prevention, interpersonal violence prevention, and more. CMHC developed Thrive at UT, a free app to enhance student well-being and help better manage the ups and downs of campus life. In addition to clinical services on campus there are many wellness resources. UT Austin has a robust healthy campus coalition called the Wellness Network. Their work ranges from hazing prevention to mental health to healthy dining. RecSports manages eight facilities on and off campus, including 40 acres of outdoor activity space. They also offer many programs about safety and to increase physical activity. Beyond programs and services, UT Austin works to create a healthy culture through the built environment and healthy policies. For example, we are a tobacco-free campus; we offer and identify healthy options in vending machines; and our bystander intervention has been replicated at other UT institutions. Faculty/Staff Wellness The HealthPoint Work-life Balance and Wellness Program is part of Human Resources. The overall goal of the program is to improve the health and well-being of faculty and staff. We accomplish our mission through improving policies (e.g., tobacco free campus policy, various leave policies, etc.) and the environment (e.g., offering and identifying healthier options in vending machines, making stairs more inviting, etc.) to make it easier to be healthy on campus. We also provide educational opportunities and wellness programs. By taking a holistic approach to wellness, HealthPoint expands beyond physical health to other dimensions of wellness, including emotional, social, occupational, financial, and environmental. Our programs range from Farm to Work (where employees can order fresh, local produce online and pick it up at the worksite) to physical activity challenges to financial wellness lunch and learns to an online weight loss program. The HealthPoint Wellness Program works closely with the HealthPoint Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP prioritizes interventions that address the integration of physical health and mental health. In addition to individual counseling, the EAP offers a broad array of tools including the stress reduction and biofeedback center, trainings, group counseling and crisis interventions. All of these services and programs are paid for through UT Austin or our health insurance plan. Employees do not pay a fee for any of the EAP or wellness services offered through HR. (The only exception is the CPR class. Some employees may choose to pay for this class on their own.) Supervisors are encouraged to allow their employees to attend EAP on work time. UT Austin also offers work-life balance services through LifeCare. LifeCare provides resources and referrals for childcare and parenting, eldercare, and legal and financial concerns. LifeCare also offers LifeMart, an employee discount program offering national and local discounts.

http://sites.utexas.edu/wellness/, https://hr.utexas.edu/current/eap, http://sites.utexas.edu/eap/, http://sites.utexas.edu/srbc/, https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/, https://cmhc.utexas.edu/, https://recovery.utexas.edu//