Welcome to the monthly Health and Wellness newsletter for UWM employees that highlights various upcoming programs and services that are available to employees. We hope you take advantage of the many opportunities detailed below. Visit the Employee Wellness Website to learn about wellbeing resources and upcoming programs.
Wellness Programs and Resources
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Join us as we observe Mental Health Awareness month through self-care, connection and a variety of learning opportunities. Programs offered this month include webinars on burnout, ending mental health stigma (Make it OK), and caregiver awareness in addition to a walking series and midday relaxation breaks. Employees can also use the UWM Mental Health Awareness Calendar to take small action steps each day to boost mental and emotional health throughout the month.
Mental Health Activity Calendar
WRS Statement of Benefits
UWM employees covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) can view their WRS Statement of Benefits by logging into Workday. Once in Workday, from the Menu on the left, go to Personal, then select Benefits and Pay. In the Suggested Links select, My Benefits which will take you to the My Benefits for Members web page. From there go to My Annual Statement of Benefits then select Go to Annual Statement.
New Employees
Benefit Review Sessions
New employees are encouraged to attend a benefit review session to learn about their comprehensive benefits package and how to enroll within the 30-day enrollment window. Virtual benefits review sessions are scheduled regularly. Visit the Benefits Reviews web page to learn more and register for upcoming sessions.
- May 13, 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M., Register
Employee Campus Tour
Whether you’re new to campus or have been here for many years and want to get out for a walk to meet new people, join this informative and engaging event. Meet at the UWM Union Ground Floor Information Desk.
- May 8, 12:10 P.M. – 12:50 P.M., Register
New UWM Health Coaching
Create healthy habits, empower inner potential, and accomplish your goals. Sessions are one-on-one and will focus on specific areas of wellbeing that are important to you. Schedule in-person or virtually with Tracy Oles, UWM Employee Wellbeing and Engagement Manager and certified health coach. See the flyer for more information and fill out the interest form to get started.
Register for a Well Wisconsin Biometric Screening & Earn Your Annual $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive!
An onsite health screening is scheduled at the UWM Student Union Wisconsin Room, on May 11, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., for employees (and spouses) enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program. At the onsite screening, participants will learn their measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose.
Complete the onsite health screening, along with the health assessment and well-being activity, by October 16, 2026, to earn the annual $150 Well Wisconsin incentive.
Follow these steps to register for an appointment:
- Log in to your WebMD Health portal.
- Click “My Benefits” at the top of the screen.
- Scroll to the “Take Action” section.
- On the Biometric Screening card, click “Get Started.”
- Choose “Click here to register” under “Onsite Health Screening” to be directed to the Quest site to reserve your spot.
Walk-in appointments will be accommodated as the schedule allows.
Wellbeing Webinars & Workshops (*UWM Specific)
| Program | Description | Date(s) | Time | Location | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoga & Pilates | Restorative yoga until May 11 and Pilates starts on May 18. | May 4 | 4:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Caregiver Awareness/Support* | Learn about the state of caregiving and its impact in Wisconsin, review resources and make connections. | May 6 | 3:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. | LEC Jendusa | Register |
| Caregiver Awareness/Support* | Learn about the state of caregiving and its impact in Wisconsin, review resources and make connections. | May 22 | 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Overcoming Burnout* | Learn to identify the symptoms of burnout and explore strategies for coping with and avoiding burnout. | May 7 | 11:00 A.M. | Virtual | Register |
| UWMidday Reset* | Take 15 minutes to calm your mind, release tension, and help regain focus for the rest of your day. | May 8, 14, 19, and 28 | Varies | Virtual | Register |
| Yoga for Neck Health | Take a 15-minute break for gentle yoga poses and stretches designed to release tension, improve mobility and support a healthy neck. | May 8 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Walk and Roll Wednesdays* | A 30-minute walk (or roll) around the campus community will return you to work feeling refreshed. All levels and abilities welcome! | May 13, 20, 27, and June 3 | 12:00 P.M. | UWM Panther Statue (Rain – Engelmann 125) | Register |
| Lowering BP with the DASH Diet | Better understand heart-healthy eating and sustainable habits that support long-term well-being. | May 13 to June 17 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Staying Strong and Resilient | Gain skills to face future challenges with reduced stress and learn tools to bounce back from setbacks. | May 13 | 12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Make a Mental Health Toolkit* | Create an ’emotional emergency kit’ filled with strategies, items, and resources that help support your mental well-being. | May 15 | 12:00 P.M. | LEC Jendusa or Virtual | Register |
| Make it OK* | Learn how and why to help stop the stigma around mental health. | May 20 | 3:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. | Union 183 | Register |
| Dealing with Prolonged Grief | Explore prolonged grief, its cognitive, emotional, and physical effects, and best practices for coping. | May 27 | 12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Rooted in WI: Seasonal Produce Cooking Class | This four-week series celebrates seasonal produce and simple, plant forward meals with cooking demonstrations. | June 1, 8, 15, and 22 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
Employees can participate in additional webinars/events that are offered this month and beyond. See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for webinar information and register via the links.
Universities of Wisconsin Webinars
Employees can also access recorded videos for Well Wisconsin on the web page below.
If you are unable to attend a fitness class, visit the on-demand library of recordings for recorded classes.
Blood Pressure Monitor Program
UWM Human Resources offers a home blood pressure monitor program for eligible employees. Employees who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive a free home blood pressure monitor:
- Have documentation of an elevated blood pressure: systolic over 120 and/or a diastolic over 80
- Diagnosis of prehypertension or Stage 1 hypertension
Contact Tracy Oles at teo@uwm.edu to verify eligibility and coordinate pick up in Engelmann Hall.
Blood Pressure Monitor Program Flyer
Well Wisconsin: Elevate Management Training Series
Empower your leaders to inspire healthier, more resilient teams. This quarterly series is designed to strengthen leadership skills and foster a culture of well-being in the workplace.
- Prioritizing Time to Promote Effectiveness, June 18
- Speaking Candidly with Your Team, September 24
- Fostering Resiliency to Prevent Burnout, November 18
See the flyer for more information and recordings of missed sessions.
Well Wisconsin: Elevate Management Training Series Flyer
Kaia Health
Living with pain can slow you down, keeping you from the people and activities you love the most. Well Wisconsin through Kaia Health provides free access to personalized therapy programs for back, shoulders, hips, knees, and more. Log in to your Well Wisconsin portal and locate “Benefits” at top of the page. The Kaia Health widget is housed within the Well Wisconsin portion of the “Benefits” page.
Wag More Wednesdays at the UWM Library
Therapy dogs will be at the UWM Library Learning Commons on various Wednesdays each month. This is a great opportunity for employees and students to de-stress and snuggle with a furry friend. Each visit is about one hour. Schedules for upcoming therapy dog visits at the library can be found here:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Acentra Health
UWM’s Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and support services to all employees including both short-term counseling and referrals for additional services. Acentra Health is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Contact Acentra Health:
- 833-539-7285
- sowi.mylifeexpert.com (password: SOWI)
EAP Webinars
- Staying Strong and Resilient
- Dealing with Prolonged Grief
Additional Mental Health Resources
Employees enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health insurance Plan have access to the following mental health resources through the Well Wisconsin Program/WebMD Wellness portal:
- Mental Health Coaching
- Togetherall, an online mental health community
- meQuilibrium, a stress and resiliency program
Well Wisconsin Mental Health Flyer
UWM Suicide Prevention Training
The Student Health and Wellness Center and the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health encourage faculty and staff to complete Recognize, Respond, Refer Suicide Prevention Training, an interactive, experientially based workshop designed to improve participants’ suicide intervention skills. With each person who completes the training, UWM develops its network of individuals who are prepared to assist in identifying and supporting individuals in crisis. It’s okay to do Part 1 without Part 2 (though Part 2 is highly recommended).
Part One: Online Training via Canvas — UW-System’s Recognize, Respond, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training for Faculty and Staff, an asynchronous online training builds awareness, knowledge, and skills about mental health and suicide prevention. The training requires approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Self-enroll in the Canvas course
Part Two: In-Person Discussion — This 75-minute in-person discussion session builds on the foundational online training by focusing on skills-based practice, scenario discussions, and campus-specific resource/referral information. Time for Q&A is also included.
Financial Wellness Offerings
Multiple financial webinars are offered each month on a variety of topics. Below are examples of programs offered.
- Women and Investing
- Preparing For Your Retirement
- Additional Contributions
See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for a full listing and to register.
Universities of Wisconsin Webinars
Sustainability
May is Mental Health month and caring for the earth can be a boost for your brain! There are lots of opportunities to get outside with the UWM Office of Sustainability. Visit the Sustainability web page to learn more and register.
Sustainability Upcoming Events
Safety Training
A variety of safety-related training courses are available to UWM employees. Please visit the link below for an upcoming list of training opportunities.
Campus Cares Wellness Wednesday Newsletter
Here is the Campus Cares Wellness Wednesday Newsletter content including wellbeing information, tips and recipes.
- Three Tiny Tweaks to Make You a Whole Lot Happier
- Yes, You Can Get Healthier with Age – and This Habit Can Help Make It Happen
- Do You Lean Optimistic or Pessimistic? Take This Quiz and Find Out
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta
- Grilled Strawberry Kebabs with Lemon Mint Sauce