University of Winnipeg
PA-13: Wellness Program

Eligible employees are entitled to limited financial assistance when seeking psychological counseling under the Extended Health Benefits offered through Blue Cross. Eligible employees may participate in an Employee and Family Assistance Program which provides short term counseling for a variety of issues. EFAP also offers Work Life and Wellness Services such as Nutritional Counseling, smoking cessation support through Blue Cross addictions counselors, weight loss consultation with registered dietician, and support for self-management of mental health. In 2017, the University recruited for the position of Employee Health & Wellness Specialist. The incumbent is a registered Occupational Health Nurse and her portfolio covers sick leave and long term disability administration, return to work plans, and workplace accommodation requests. Along with these functions our H&W Specialist holds annual Blood Pressure clinics and Diabetes Awareness clinics. Eligible employees are entitled to reimbursement under the Wellness & Sustainability Account which includes but is not limited to the following items. Refer to the Wellness & Sustainability Claim form for the complete list of eligible items. Wellness: -Membership at the Duckworth Centre or another fitness centre held in the employee's name -Formal instruction for a physical activity or recreational centre program with a wellness focus -Specific types of fitness equipment -Weight management program fees (excluding food) offered by accredited practitioner, for the employee -Non-Prescription smoking cessation aids Sustainability -Bus passes and tickets -Home composters -CFL and LED light bulbs (net of any rebates) -Programmable thermostats -Personal bicycle and replacement parts -Carbon offsets purchased from a recognized carbon offset vendor Students who identify that they need help reach out to the University's Intake Manager in Counseling Services - via drop in hours, phone or email. If it is a crisis they are seen that day by her or a counselor. Students may also present to the on-campus health clinic and speak with the nurse practitioner. The University is situated in downtown Winnipeg, a couple of blocks from our Regional Health Authority's Mental Health branch, which operates both a mobile crisis service and a new Crisis Response Centre, for people with mental health emergencies, so they don't have to go to the Emergency department. Mobile Crisis Services can be accessed on campus and in residence, after hours. On site in the daytime, along with the Intake Manager and Counselor, there is a full time mental health clinician (Psych Nurse- currently a job share with 1 male, 1 female), full time Nurse Practitioner, half time Addictions clinician, and three grad students from Marriage and Family Therapy program. All are clinically supervised and registered with their licensing/professional body. All of them are trauma informed and are trained in how to respond to and de-escalate a crisis.

Weblinks for applicable programs: http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/hr/benefits/efap.html http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/hr/benefits/extended-health-benefits.html#Psych http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/hr/benefits/wellness-sustainability-account.html http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/hr/benefits/wellness-resources.html