- Provide free, confidential mental health care
- Assess and monitor burnout and well-being in physicians-in-training
- Develop and disseminate wellness best practices and curriculum for GME
- Improve community building through group initiatives
- Promote a culture of appreciation, inclusivity and psychological safety
- Advocate for resources to meet physiologic needs
- Advocate to address systems factors that impact work efficiency, workload and work-life integration
- Contribute to the broader field through collaboration and scholarship
Wellness
Mission
The GME Wellness Program aims to improve resident and fellow well-being. We develop individual and organizational strategies to improve trainee health, reduce stress and burnout, and enhance the joy and meaning in their work.
Major Goals
Check Out the GME Gratitude Blog
COVID-19 Outbreak Resources and Tips
We recognize that this is an overwhelming time and are actively working to provide additional resources of support. We have generated some initial tips for attending to your well-being during this difficult time – Tips for Attending to Wellness during COVID (pdf). Also, see this “COVID Cabin Fever” suggestion list – this was created by the IM/EM groups. Anyone is welcome to add to it so shared ideas and resources are available to everyone.
Message from GME Director of Wellness to our trainees (March 21, 2020)
Family and Childcare Needs
- Family care resources – in addition to resources for WU employed trainees, there are many links to additional child care options. Including virtual school support from the YMCA
- Resources for talking to your kids about COVID-19
- WU Child Psychiatry Resources (pdf)
- BJC – COVID Anxiety in Kids and Teens
- AACAP’s Resource library for useful materials for the pandemic for you and your family
- WU Trauma Response Program – how to talk to children (pdf)
Mental Health Resources
- GME Counseling services: Dr. Raquel Cabral, Ph.D and Cheryl King-Easterling, LPC:
- Feel free to schedule online
- If you need different availability, please call: 314-285-3667
- GME Psychiatry services – Office of Drs. Brady, Sultana and Shah in Clayton (314) 721-3381 (free, confidential, no insurance used; Need to state you are a GME trainee)
- Marvin – a Virtual therapy service: This service is provided for WashU/BJH/SLCH residents and fellows only. You will have to login to Box to access the link to the therapy service. Marvin offers licensed providers who will provide three free therapy sessions for trainees. Additional information is available at the link. These resources are not affiliated with the University and GME Wellness does not endorse or take responsibility for services provided by Marvin,
- Community providers – this spreadsheet contains a list of area counselors and psychiatrists outside of WUSM/BJH/WU. Insurance information is not always up to date, so you should call to check that if relevant. Providers may also change practice locations without our awareness. These resources are not affiliated with the University and GME Wellness does not endorse or take responsibility for services provided by individuals/agencies listed.
- Group support sessions via Zoom – Psych ZOOM GROUP SCHEDULE WITH LINKS
- Emotional Support Line via Work Life Solutions: 844-365-4587
- Coping with Covid Resources
- BJC residents/fellows – BJC expanded support:
- Emotional Support Line: 314-747-7493, for employees and family members, currently 8am – midnight M-F, but likely expanding to 7 days a week as tomorrow, and goal to get to 24/7. These are licensed counselors trained in trauma.
- BJC EAP – 888-505-6444: 24/7 counselors, also now have appointments that can be scheduled 7 days a week until midnight. Free appointments. Can schedule them online from the BJC EAP website or call
- BJC EAP will also coordinate peer support with the WeCare program – you can either call and request, or request online via the Contact Us link on https://www.bjceap.com/
- Behavioral Health Response Hotline: 24/7 Crisis line – 800-811-4760
- Clinician Peer Support Program
- ACGME podcast – coping in the early surge period of COVID
Additional options for virtual support
-
- Project parachute – pro-bono mental health therapy for healthcare workers
- Sanvello Premium – now free. Sanvello is an evidence-based mobile care solution created by clinical experts that allows you to access on-demand help for stress, anxiety, and depression. Sanvello uses clinically validated techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that are designed to work together to help you learn how to feel happier.
- 7cups is a site that offers 24/7 live chat support with trained peer listeners for free (pay for professional counseling). It offers an anonymous place to get out some emotions and be supported non-judgmentally
- MoodGym – Guided self help program to help people manage anxiety and depression. ($39 for 12 months)
- Talkspace (starting at $65/week) lets you connect with a therapist and text or video/audio chat at will. It’s consistently one of the highest reviewed
- Betterhelp (starting at $40/week) is another site/app that will match you with a counselor and provide live chat sessions
Mindfulness – for reducing stress and anxiety
Several apps available:
- Meg Krecji is has several mindfulness options for residents and fellows – see the Move into Mindfulness site for additional details. This includes new drop in sessions weekly, a 30 minute Mindful Connection zoom session – just for residents and fellows, and sessions for kids.
- Headspace, that is offering free meditation practices for providers (physicians and APPs) with an NPI. They also have other free services available.
- 10% Happier, “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics.” The free part of the app has a good intro into meditation, while the paid part offers personal counseling as well.
- Stop, Breathe Think. An app focused on targeting interventions to the way you tell it you’re feeling. Free with in-app purchases
- Insight Timer. Free, with content for kids too and thousands of guided meditations
- The Resilient Option is offering free unlimited access to their online program. Use Resilience100 as the coupon code at the checkout.
Fitness
- Virtual Fitness classes at Move by BJC – $10/month virtual membership and 7 day free trial
- DownDog apps (HIIT, Barre, Yoga, 7min workout) are free through July if you have a .edu address.
- Peloton – free 90 day trial for the app (no bike or treadmill required)
- Active by POPSUGAR app – now available for free with hundreds of workouts
Educational Resources
- Library Access: Most of Becker Library’s resources are available online. This includes databases, journals and e-books. Full text is available off campus with a VPN connection or a Becker proxy server Becker Library is extending temporary proxy server access to faculty and staff at no charge through December 31st so that people working from home will have full access to our resources. Students already receive proxy access automatically. All School of Medicine faculty, staff and students can simply enter their WUSTL Key on the proxy login screen, no new set-up required.
- NEJM Resident 360 – free through Becker, but must be on the WASHU network when they create an account.
Additional Resources
- Suggestions for things to do while stuck at home:
- Office of Education COVID updates
- Program Director Best Practice Guide for Supporting Well-being during COVID (.pdf)
- Alternative housing available for any house staff member with concerns about spread of COVID-19 to family. Complete form online.
- Financial and Estate Planning Resources
- Kosher meals – Chabad of the CWE recognizes and is so grateful for the important work performed by our healthcare workers every day. Any medical personnel who are interested or in need of Kosher meals at the medical campus should reach out to us via email at rabbi@chabadcwe.com or via cell 314-448-0927 so that we can provide you with kosher meals free of charge. Additionally, we are here to provide emotional support and counseling for those who want or need.
- Reflective Writing can be helpful in reducing stress and promoting well-being. Consider joining a FREE narrative medicine session with Stanford’s Medicine and the Muse Director of Writing and Storytelling. Sign up here.
- Check out these local podcasts spearheaded by the ObGyn Wellness Champions!
- Check out these Clinician Benefits and Discounts.
- A Guide to Support the Well-being of Healthcare Personnel During a Time of Crisis – including resources for supporting your physical and mental health and supporting your colleagues
Emotional Health
- GME Wellness Counseling
- GME Psychiatry services – Office of Drs. Brady, Sultana and Shah in Clayton (314) 721-3381 (free, confidential, no insurance used; Need to state you are a GME trainee)
- Marvin – a Virtual therapy service: This service is provided for WashU/BJH/SLCH residents and fellows only. You will have to login to Box to access the link to the therapy service. Marvin offers licensed providers who will provide three free therapy sessions for trainees. Additional information is available at the link. These resources are not affiliated with the University and GME Wellness does not endorse or take responsibility for services provided by Marvin,
- Community providers – this spreadsheet contains a list of area counselors and psychiatrists outside of WUSM/BJH/WU. Insurance information is not always up to date, so you should call to check that if relevant. Providers may also change practice locations without our awareness. These resources are not affiliated with the University and GME Wellness does not endorse or take responsibility for services provided by individuals/agencies listed.
- Clinician Peer Support Program (after adverse events)
- Mindfulness
- Move into MIndfulness Program (WU)
- Mindfulness Apps
- Headspace, that is offering free meditation practices for providers (physicians and APPs) with an NPI. They also have other free services available.
- 10% Happier, “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics.” The free part of the app has a good intro into meditation, while the paid part offers personal counseling as well.
- Stop, Breathe Think. An app focused on targeting interventions to the way you tell it you’re feeling. Free with in-app purchase.
-
- Insight Timer. Free, with content for kids too and thousands of guided meditations
- The Resilient Option is offering free unlimited access to their online program. Please use Resilience100 as the coupon code at the checkout.
- Mindful awareness podcasts
- Crisis relief support: monetary fund available for employees of BJH who have experienced an acute personal or family crisis
- Ten Ted Talks for burnout
- Making the Difference – preventing medical trainee suicide
- National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- St. Louis Behavioral Health Response
Physical Health
- Physicians accepting new primary care patients
- Pediatricians accepting new primary care patients (PCP List) as of July 2019 (pdf)
- New WU Care primary care clinic for WU employed trainees
- Fatigue Countermeasures 2019_09_09 (pdf)
- Fatigued House Staff Reimbursement Request form (pdf)
- Should I see a Sleep Specialist?
- Online Sleep Modules:
- Washington University Nurse Advocate (for fellows)
- Fitness:
- Move by BJC Fitness Center– BJH/SLCH residents pay $32/month, no initiation fee; WU fellows – $36/month + $50 initiation fee
- Danforth Campus – Sumers Recreation Center– WU fellows pay $200/year or $25 monthly, $10 day pass. General parking is free before 7am and after 5pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
- Washington University Medical Center Noon time aerobics classes
- WashU group fitness classes at Olin Residence Hall– $32 for 8 weeks of unlimited classes. Free if a Sumers Rec member. Class schedule posted on the site.
- Discounted Gym Memberships for WU employees (see list at Wellness Connection)
Work-Life Balance and Community Building
- The Dis-orientation guide: A guide to the city, school and life in St. Louis (written by WU med students)
- Washington University Medical Center Housestaff Auxiliary – organization for all students, residents, fellows and faculty and their significant others. Provides a monthly newsletter of local resources, events, preferred provider lists and more.
- Washington University Wellness Connection – Wellness programs, rewards and other resources
- BJC Wellness resources
- Grocery delivery services:
- Anti-Racism Resources
Parenting Resources – parenting, lactation and childcare
- Family care resources – in addition to resources for WU employed trainees, there are many links to additional child care options. Including virtual school support from the YMCA
- Child care on campus
- Brown School CARE list – a student managed list of care providers. The University does not endorse or vet any individuals included on this list. If you contact an individual on this list, you are accepting sole responsibility for your engagement or interaction with that person.
- Backup child care – for Wash U employed trainees. Must register dependents before care can be provided. 15 uses per family per year.
- Lactation room program
- Pregnancy and Lactation Resources for GMEC Trainees
Professional and Personal Development
- Anti-Racism Resources
- BJC Learning Institute Courses
- Time Management Coaching – Jill Farmer
- Learning specialists
- Becker Medical Library Services
- English Language Program (ELP) Courses (Office for International Students and Scholars)
- InPRint Editing Services – free scientific editing and schema design
- LGBTQ+ Resources
- Office of Diversity Programs
- Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Financial and Estate Planning Resources
Wellness Tips
Personal Outsourcing
Time is a valuable and finite commodity. With limited personal free time available, it’s important for you to consider how that time is spent and how that impacts your wellness. While there are some tasks that only you can do, a number of things can be outsourced to simplify your life and allocate more time to the things that promote your wellness.
Consider the following when deciding whether or not to outsource:
- How much is your time worth? Outsource tasks that are “cheaper” than the time it would take you to complete the task.
- Outsource the tasks that you dread and procrastinate. The distress associated with tasks that loom on the horizon may be easily resolved by passing it onto someone else.
- Keep the tasks that you enjoy. If you love cooking, for example, find ways to be engaged and present so that you enjoy the process.
Below is a list of tasks that are commonly outsourced. Please note that GME has not screened and does not endorse any of these vendors. Please use your discretion when purchasing goods or services from these resources.
Assistance with Projects:
Prepared Meals
Laundry Services
Deliveries
Grocery Delivery
Other Wellness Resources
Local:
Employee assistance programs
- BJC HealthCare and St. Louis Children’s Hospital EAP
- BJC/SLCH EAP services counseling, wellness options, legal resources, financial planning, child and elder care consultation, college planning, physician referrals and more
- Washington University EAP
- WashU EAP services includes mental health / psychiatric resources as well as referrals for child/elder care needs, work-life resources with referral lists, legal guidance and financial resources.
National: