Call the Personal Service Unit: (212) 815-1250

Phone-in hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Why should someone use PSU?

• Job Jeopardy – Problems at work can result in disciplinary action, resulting in a verbal or written warning, charges, or a scheduled hearing. It is to your advantage to contact PSU at the earliest sign of trouble.
• Personal and Family Problems – Other reasons members come to PSU include, but are not limited to, personal and family difficulties, alcohol and substance abuse, depression and anxiety, and major life changes.
• Group counseling – Periodically, the PSU staff provides group counseling for members with similar needs such as:
• Wellness Support Group for members who have emotional and/or health related problems.
  Layoff Support Group

Outreach Program – This program assists:

• Members on short-term disability in need of assistance
• Pre-Retirees to prepare for retirement
• Homebound members and retirees

Social Work services at PSU will help you to:

• Identify your problems
• Identify the strengths and resources that you already have
• Identify better ways of coping
• Locate community resources
• Obtain counseling or specialize treatment if necessary

For more information, please visit the DC-37 PSU page.

Did you know that many of our health insurance carrier offer a variety of Wellness resources?  Find your health plan below and discover what services are available:

• Emblem Health Plans (includes GHI/COP, HIP-POS and Vytra)
  • Healthy Discounts
  • Wellness Program (HIP HMO Members only)
  • Your 2022 Benefits
• HIP HMO
• Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Open Enrollment
• Aetna
  • Wellness Offerings
• Cigna
• MetroPlus

Telemedicine:

• Many of our Health Insurance Carriers are now offering expanded opportunities to speak with medical providers by telephone or video (telemedicine).
• Follow this link to a chart displaying what each carrier is offering their members:  Telemedicine Chart

Baruch’s Ombuds office strives to reduce conflict and improve communication. Please let us know how we can help manage this transition with less stress and greater ease. Email mindy.engle-friedman@baruch.cuny.edu, or glenda.hydler@baruch.cuny.edu.

Here are some suggestions:

• We flourish when we are around friends. Reconnect with friends and colleagues at the College and beyond. Sharing feelings about the transition, and what’s happening during the semester, can create a greater sense of calm.
• Consider forming virtual groups through apps (e.g., Teams, Slack, or WhatsApp) with colleagues in and outside of your department for schmoozing, fun, and workplace tips.
• Try meditation exercises. Relaxing your body will help relax your mind. Websites such as Calm offer a selection of strategies. Find one that speaks to you.
• Yoga has been shown to reduce stress and trauma. No matter your age or physical condition, give it a try. Many websites offer free instruction. Here’s one: Yoga with Adriene.
• Healthy eating, drinking fluids, and getting sufficient sleep improve our well-being. Take breaks and short naps when you can.
• Close your eyes, take slow deep breaths, and relax behind your mask. This will help clear your mind and prepare you for teaching or communicating with others at the College.
• Go outside, breathe fresh air, look at the sky, check out the new plaza.
• Engage in something fun that is non-work or -school related during the day.
• Share suggestions about what works for you with others.
• Take breaks from the news when you can. World news can be overwhelming. Be mindful of your exposure to the news.
• Thank staff often—especially our colleagues in Public Safety and Buildings and Grounds for their frontline service throughout the pandemic and as we re-engage with campus life.
• Give yourself credit for all you are doing for yourself, your family, and Baruch.

Are You Worried About a Student?

College students today face increasing pressures that can lead to emotional distress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even thoughts of suicide. Research shows that depressed and anxious students are more likely to be absent, take semesters off, or drop out of college. As faculty and staff, we can take small steps that make a big difference.

Through CARES Act funding, CUNY has adopted an online, free, interactive training—At-Risk for Faculty and Staff—to help you notice signs of student distress, use techniques to discuss your concerns, and, if necessary, refer students to appropriate resources. At-Risk for Faculty and Staff lets you practice these challenging conversations at your own pace through roleplay with virtual students and helps you build confidence to talk with students you are concerned about. Typical completion time is 30–40 minutes, and your progress across the training is saved so you can complete it in multiple sessions.

To access this simulated training:

1. Visit CUNY’s Kognito site
2. Log in or create a new account
3. Use enrollment key: baruchcaruf
4. Launch At-Risk for Faculty and Staff

• Access the presentation slides

If you have any questions about the training, please don’t hesitate to contact Glenn.Albright@baruch.cuny.edu or Teresa.Hurst@baruch.cuny.edu.

As the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer accused in the death of George Floyd continues, people may experience a range of emotions and reactions, depending on the outcome. This can be a challenging time and we wanted to provide you with the resources you may need to manage the emotions that might surface.

• Rewire—”How to Manage Complicated Feelings During the Chauvin Trial” 
• CNN—“Ask a Black Therapist: 5 Tips to Support Black Mental Health During the Derek Chauvin Trial”
• ABC News—”Mental Health Experts Warn Derek Chauvin Trial May Revive Feelings of Racial Trauma”
• Children’s Minnesota—”Tips for Parents During the Trial of Derek Chauvin for the Death of George Floyd”

Additional PDF Resources:

• Addressing the Issue of Racism with Your Black Children
• BIPOC Mental Health Resources
• Resources on self-care and coping with racial stress, and more information on the trial in Minneapolis
• Understanding and Dealing with Racial Trauma

For additional content on managing sensitive conversations about race, talking with children about racism, recovering from racial trauma, and how to support greater equity in society, please visit the Racial Equity and Trial Progress features within the News For You section on www.myccaonline.com (Company Code: CUNY). Remember that CCA@YourService can also be reached confidentially at 800-833-8707. Counsellors are standing by 24/7 to help you and your family members.

WorkWell NYC Webinars

Banishing Burnout: How to identify and cope with chronic stress at work

Decluttering for Your Best Life

Basic Strategies For Healthy Eating

One of the most common goals for many people is to eat healthy! In this webinar rewind, we revisit the basics of nutrition and identify the simplest and most effective strategies for healthy eating. Take a look for guidance in helping you achieve the most healthful nutrition!

How Good Habits Drive Happiness
The science and practice of good life

Materials:

• View Slides
• View Recording
• View Wellbeing Wheel of Life
• View Wellbeing To Do List
• View Relaxation Exercises
• View References

Prevention and Primary Care During COVID-19 and Beyond Recording

• Presentation Slides
• WorkWell NYC has many tools to help you find a primary care provider to be your partner in health:
  • Choosing a Primary Care Provider
  • Why Primary Care Matters
  • Appointment Checklist
  • Where to Go for Care
• Please visit nyc.gov/hbp to learn more about employee health benefits and find contact information for your insurance provider, including information on how to set up a telehealth visit.

Stress Management Under COVID 19

Building Resilience Muscles Webinar

A New Year, A Healthier You: Mapping Your 2020 Wellness Journey

Help to reach your wellness goals to lose weight, eat healthier, move more, and shift your mindset. Discount pricing is available under a partnership with the City of New York.

• Employer ID – 11612222
• Private Virtual Workshops
• Introducing the new WW Reimagined Program
• Offering Summary
• FAQ
• Stay Healthy Blog

Special Offer

Join WW and get a FREE WW Bluetooth Body Weight Scale with your membership!

1. Sign up by going to WW.com/us/NYC and get your WW special gift!

WW Special Pricing

* NYC and its unions cover 50% of the cost for benefits-eligible employees. The dollar value of this subsidy will be included as taxable income to the employee. **Spouses and dependents of retirees are not eligible for the subsidy.