Mental Health & Wellbeing
The Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing provides support to all employees at the University of Kansas. The listings below provide information on wellness programs and resources that can assist you with your individual wellbeing needs.
Mental Health Support for KU Employees
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
HealthQuest Health Center in Topeka
KU Psychological Clinic
Wellness Resource Database
The KU campus and the surrounding Lawrence community has a wide variety of resources to support KU faculty & staff. This database allows you to search on-campus and community resources using a keyword or a list of categories from BIPOC Resources to Caregiving, Food Insecurity to Social Connection.
Find Help Now: 24-Hour Crisis Support
Call 911 if you are in a life-threatening crisis and need immediate emergency services.
Call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit this page to chat online now. 24/7, free & confidential support for people in distress.
Local Crisis Line: 785-841-2345 – 24/7, free & confidential support for people in distress by Headquarters Counseling Center.
Mental Health Resources for KU Employees
Need help finding a therapist covered by your employee health plan? Find an in-network therapist:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
Aetna
Employment Accommodations Would you like to request a work accommodation for a diagnosed mental health condition?
KU Policies and Procedures include clarification on sick leave including mental health conditions, extended leave, and other circumstances that may arise.
Mental Health Related Trainings
Mental Health First Aid – partnering with Bert Nash Mental Health Center, this live virtual 4.5 hour training teaches signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders as well as a 5-step crisis intervention action plan. Offered at specific times through My Talent but can also be scheduled for your department.
Jayhawks Talk - A Suicide Prevention Training for Gatekeepers – a 3-hour interactive program for those in a position to recognize students who may be in crisis and provide intervention and referral strategies to get them connected with the appropriate support. Contact Emily Kubalik, Suicide Prevention Coordinator.
Stress & Empathy Fatigue - Taking time for self-care is an essential component to finding the work-life balance necessary for helping professionals. This 2-hour workshop discusses stress and strategies to manage its impact on us as faculty and staff while we are exerting the often-unacknowledged emotional labor of supporting students' growing mental health needs. Offered at specific times through My Talent, also by request. Contact Jeff Stolz, Mental Health and Wellbeing Director.
Linked-In Learning – KU employee access through myKU then My Talent offers free video tutorials on a variety of useful mental health topics, like “Support Your Mental Health at Work” and “Managing Anxiety in the Workplace,” as well as almost any topic of interest.
Faculty and Staff Wellness
The KU Employee Wellness website provides:
- Information about monthly wellness events: Move-N-Learns Lunch-N-Learns
- Free weekly Employee Yoga schedule & registration
- Crops to Campus Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Registration
- Information on the KU Wellness Ambassadors Program
- The annual KU Faculty & Staff Wellness Fair information page
- An archive of on-demand wellness-themed webinars
Physical Health Support for KU Employees
Watkins Faculty/Staff Walk-In Clinic: KU employees are entitled to use many of the services offered at Watkins Health Services from immunizations to lab work to physical therapy and more.
HealthQuest Health Center in Topeka: Benefits-eligible KU employees, spouses and dependent children over 2 have access to in-person and virtual care for sick visits, lab work, prevention services like health screenings and health coaching, and counseling. Fees depend on your chosen health plan.
Robinson Center: KU employees may utilize the weight rooms (Rms 102/103), gymnasiums, and saunas for no charge.
Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center: KU employees can purchase a monthly membership for full access.
Financial Wellness
Bank at Work Powered by Central Bank: Central Bank is KU’s community banking partner that offers traditional banking services as well as financial education workshops, and more. Workshops are open for registration in My Talent- simply search "Central Bank" to get started. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Offers 24/7 financial guidance by trained professionals as well as local referrals for more technical support.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Offers 24/7 financial guidance by trained professionals as well as local referrals for more technical support.
Linked-In Learning: KU employee access through myKU then My Talent offers free video tutorials on a variety of useful financial topics, like “Financial Basics Everyone Should Know” to more specific and advanced topics.
Ergonomics
Please contact HR for a workspace assessment, or if there are questions about proper work station adjustment, posture, or physical concerns at hrdept@ku.edu or 785-864-4946. Workstation assessments can be completed by an HR employee in person, or via zoom.
The goal of a workstation assessment is to make adjustments to your current workspace to allow for an ergonomic set up. If items are recommended, or if your wish to add or change furniture/equipment in your workspace, please work with your supervisor and departmental leadership for approval. Once approval is received, ensure your work with the Procurement Office so your purchase follows KU's procurement processes.
