Guide to Day to Day Living under COVID-19

Whether you are teleworking or reporting to campus to provide invaluable support to our university’s core mission, this continues to be an incredibly complex and stressful time for all of us. Your well-being is the university’s top priority as we navigate the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as a community. This guide highlights available resources you can take advantage of to stay mentally and physically healthy, connect with and support other UT employees through programs like the Victim’s Advocacy Network and the Staff Emergency Fund, and work on your own professional development and personal growth.

Mental Health and Self-Care

• Access video counseling through the Employee Assistance Program
• Virtual visits through MDLive with licensed psychiatrists and licensed counselors available for employees with Blue Cross/Blue Shield UT Select health or Academic Blue health insurance  
• Coping in Times of Uncertainty landing page from the Dell Medical Schools provides resources on coping with COVID-19, resources for children and families, financial needs, domestic violence, mental health, and resources for older adults
• Support for Healthcare Front Line Workers video series
  • Coronavirus: Front Line Support
  • Building your Resilience
  • Recognizing Burnout

Work-Life Balance

• HealthPoint Wellness offers weekly online courses on maintaining a health work-life balance, health life-styles, improving sleep and other topics 
• Download and share social media graphics that highlight “Simple Ways to Maintain a Work-Life Balance”
• Living Well offers webinars on programs since as Hinge Health, MDLive, Health at Your Desk and more.

Taking Care of Others

• Caregiver Stress: Learn more about relieving the stress of being a caregiver to others
• The Staff Emergency Fund is accepting donations to provide limited financial assistance to employees who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to a temporary hardship related to an emergency situation
• Victim’s Advocacy Network is still accepting volunteers to provide Mental Health First Aid for staff, faculty, and students
• Download and print the “Help Keep our Workplace Healthy” poster for common areas in occupied buildings to thank our workers who are keeping the university running and to provide simple tips to keep our workspaces safe. 

Staying Healthy

• Telemedicine through MDLive for employees with Blue Cross/Blue Shield UT or Academic Blue health insurance
• 24/7 Nurseline for employees with Blue Cross/Blue Shield UT Select or Academic Blue health insurance
• UT Office of Employee Benefits online wellness programs
• Stay Home, Stay Active from Recreational Sports features at home exercise programs, the Longhorn Virtual Race program, and other physical fitness related resources
• Virtual HealthPoint Fitness Classes offers free online fitness classes and at-home workouts open to anyone
• Yoga for Anxiety videos demonstrate physical sequences, breathing techniques, yoga philosophy, and meditation and mindfulness exercises
• How to Make Your own Face Covering video from Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, and the Center from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Staying Connected

• 7  ways to stay connected (and entertained) with coworkers and colleagues
• Telework and flexible work tools to enable employees to work while not physically on campus
• Protect your zoom meetings from disruptions
• Be aware of COVID-19 scams as you stay connected
• Tips on Staying Connected, Productive and Sane While Working Remotely

Join the UT Community of Learning

• Learning and Development, a newly launched program from Human Resources, provides online learning opportunities to include professional development and continuing education
• LinkedIn Learning is available to all faculty, staff and students at no-cost and provides online classes on business, software, technology, creative skills and more

General Resources:

• Employees can call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.211texas.org/ for the latest information from the Texas Department of State Health and information on city and county resources
• Visit coronavirus.utexas.edu for updated information related to university operations and resources
• Visit University Health Services “Staying Well While Staying Home” page for additional resources on maintaining social connections, nutrition, relationships, and finances. 
• Visit UT System’s “Work Healthy from Home” page for additional medical resources, digital health programs, and self-care resources.