Resources to Support Mental Health Wellness

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It’s common for faculty and staff to experience stress, anxiety, and grief in different areas of their lives. Experiencing financial stress, caregiver stress, loss of a family member, pressure from research and work expectations, tenure and promotion preparation, and more – all while working a full-time job with its own challenges is difficult. You are not alone. Here is a list of resources to help you navigate these challenges.

  • THERAPY & COUNSELING

    Similar to visiting a doctor for a physical checkup or your dentist, therapy can help you understand and work through challenges in your life. Therapy provides a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing you to understand what you’re feeling, and how to cope—improving your overall well-being. Therapy is also for couples and families; it can help people work through relationship troubles and live a happier life together.

    Please note some of the below options go through insurance, however, regardless of insurance coverage, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to anyone at any time. Call or text 988 or online chat online at www.988lifeline.org to access 24/7 support.

    Below are different ways you can access therapy resources as an SHSU employee:

    • a. Employee Assistance Program
      • 5 free counseling sessions (per issue) for you or your family members. Depending on your insurance provider, insurance may help coverage of additional sessions.
      • Counseling includes, but is not limited to, matters of
        • Stress & Anxiety 
        • Alcohol/Drug Problems 
        • Couples & Relationship Issues 
        • Anger Management 
        • Work Conflicts 
        • Depression 
        • Parenting & Family Concerns 
        • Grief or Bereavement 
        • Additional resources/referrals include 
          • Change & Life Transitions 
          • Communication Skills 
          • Family counseling referrals 
          • Child/Elder care referrals  
    • b. Mental Health Resources Available for Employees Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Health Insurance (current ERS health insurance provider)
      • Employees covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) medical insurance can choose from a list of in-network mental health providers (including psychiatry, psychology, and other counseling professions).
        • To access, visit: Mental Health Member Journey PDF
        • Your mental health provider may offer telemedicine visits. HealthSelect plans cover telemedicine visits with in-network providers at the same benefit level as in-person visits to in-network mental health providers.
      • If you or your covered dependent are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate help, call (800) 252-8039 (TTY:711) and ask to speak to a mental health clinician. This will connect you to the BCBS of Texas’ 24/7 Mental Health Line to get help with a mental health or substance use issue 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
      • You can also have access to virtual mental health visits. Get started by creating an account on doctorondemand.com or mdlive.com/ healthselect using the information on your medical ID card
      • You may also be eligible to access an online, on-demand, self-paced mental health service grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy.  Visit the Learn to Live page for more information.
    • c. Discount Programs to Purchase Mental Health Services:

        Visit the ERS Discount Purchasing Website: https://ers.texas.gov/Discount-Purchase-Program

          • Click on “Discount Purchasing Program” and create an account using your SHSU email address.
          • Search “Mental Health” to see a variety of mental health resources available to you at reduced cost, including TalkSpace, a telehealth therapy platform that matches users with a licensed therapist, or U.S. Service Animals, which provides guidance in registering emotional support animals.
  • FITNESS & PHYSICAL HEALTH
    • Physical Health Resources Available for Employees Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Health Insurance:
      • BlueShield Well on Target. BlueShield offers includes personalized tools and resources to support your health and wellness such as health tools, trackers and wellness coaches.
      • HealthSelectSMmedical plan participants have access to the Buena Vida well-being platform. This platform allows you to learn about your overall health, track progress toward personal goals, join state-wide fitness challenges, connect with your co-workers and earn rewards when you complete healthy activities.
      • The Fitness Program (Blue Shield ERS) is a flexible membership program that gives you and your covered dependents (age 16 and older) unlimited access to a nationwide network of facilities, from gyms and sports facilities to specialty fitness studios, including access to digital fitness videos and live classes.
    • Campus Recreation

      Regular physical activity can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, it has linked to better sleep and improvements in mood and overall well-being.

      • Campus recreation offers a variety of resources and activities and will even help you find your best fit based on your goals and personal needs!
  • SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

    Social connections can help prevent mental health problems and can help people recover from moderate to severe mental health conditions. For example, people with strong social networks are more resilient to anxiety and depression.

    Occasionally, trade having lunch in your desk while you work for having lunch with one of your colleagues, enjoy time with family and friends and, if you are looking for new networks, check the calendar of events and join other faculty and staff for interesting activities and opportunity for social connection! There is something for everyone!

    SHSU Events

  • LEAVE & ABSENCE POLICIES
    • Staff Wellness Leave
      • Policy HR-04(d) is a subset of the HR04 Employee Leaves Policy describing wellness and development leave options.
      • This policy provides wellness release time for voluntary wellness activities such as:

      • Elevate Healthy Campus Initiative Events
      • Health Fitness Screenings/Assessments
      • Stress Management Classes
      • Smoking Cessation Classes
      • Weight Loss Classes and Meetings
      • Nutrition Classes
      • Health Risk/Injury Reduction Classes
      • Exercise Activities
      • In addition to those activities, staff can request:
        • Time Off for Staff Council Participation  
        • Educational Activity Leave  
        • Wellness Leave Award for Health Assessment and Exam  
        • Emergency and Administrative Leave for Outstanding Performance  
        • Mental Health Leave for Peace Officers and Communicators/Dispatchers  
      • Check HR website for full details and questions
    • Support for Faculty Experiencing Significant Life Events

      Throughout their academic life, faculty will experience significant life events such as serious personal illness, caring for a newborn infant or a newly adopted infant or child, pregnancy complications, and illness or injury to one’s immediate family members. In addition to FMLA, eligible faculty can redesign teaching obligations when experiencing a significant life event.

  • WORKPLACE CONCERNS & RESOLUTIONS
    • University Ombudsperson

    The Ombuds office is here to help you navigate a difficult situation at work and answer questions to address workplace related issues, concerns, or misunderstandings

    For assistance with workplace questions and concerns contact Dr. Falguni Mukherjee

    • Office of Title IX and Discrimination Resolution

    This office will support faculty and staff with concerns based on discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in employment, educational programs, and activities.

  • MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICES (15 MIN OR LESS)

    Interested in learning more about the below practices? Check out this document for links to articles supporting each.

    • A. Deep Breathing
      • The Why: When you are stressed, your breathing typically becomes rapid and shallow, which signals to your brain that you should stay alert to danger and threat. While this makes sense in some situations (like, running from a bear) it doesn’t really help when faced with more modern-day stressors (like a deadline). Breathing slowly, evenly, and deeply communicates to your brain that you are safe, and your body will start to relax in response, ultimately reducing the toll of stress.
      • The How: Deep breathing is portable! You can practice it anywhere, anytime. It can help to breathe in slowly through your nose, filling your abdomen with fresh clean air for the count of 4 or 5; then, breath out slowly through pursed lips for the count of 6 or 7. When exhaling, imagine blowing just hard enough to make a candle flicker, but not go out.
    • B. Mindfulness Meditation
      • The Why: We spend much of our time on autopilot – going through the motions while our minds are somewhere else entirely, usually thinking about our past or worrying about our future. Mindfulness means turning your attention to the present moment, just as it is. In other words, it means to “be here now.” When we let ourselves just “be” in the present – even if the present moment is stressful or frightening – we can live a fuller, more meaningful life. Bringing your full attention to simple daily tasks, such as eating, washing dishes, walking, or even breathing, can be a powerful way to practice mindfulness.
      • The How: There are a growing number of mobile apps that provide brief (<10 minute) mindfulness exercises, including the free apps Mindfulness Coach and InsightTimer as well as popular subscription-based apps such as Calm and Headspace. Additionally, there are many guided mindfulness meditation exercises online, such as
    • C. Art Making
      • The Why: Several studies have shown that a single session of making art – whether it be free drawing, coloring a mandala, or using modeling clay can improve mood, reduce self-reported stress and reduce levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone.”
      • The How: Keeping markers, colored pencils, or even modeling clay in your work area can help you take an “art making” break during your work day.  You can find many free printable adult coloring pages, including mandalas online.
    • D. Walking Breaks
      • The Why: Growing research suggests that taking short (5 minute) walks every 30-60 minutes throughout your day has big effects on physical and mental health. It can feel daunting to take a break, but research consistently shows it improves mood, creativity, and productivity. Try it out for yourself!
      • The How: Consider taking a “micro-walk” around campus, your neighborhood, or even the building you are in. Leave your screen behind for just a few minutes throughout the day and your body and mind will thank you!
    • E. Animal videos
    • F. Gratitude
  • HOW TO SUPPORT STUDENT WELLNESS

    Below is a compilation of resources to help faculty and staff members support students. These resources answer questions like: Which is the correct office to report a concern regarding a student? What resources are available for students? They also include training opportunities on how to navigate situations.