Employee Wellness

Mental Health Support

Employees -- all of us -- need support at different times. UVM's Employee Wellness and the Osher Center for Integrative Health are dedicated to ensuring that our community can access a variety of tools, resources, and information to support their health and wellness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) conceptualized mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental value and is integral to our well-being.

The Challenge in the Americas (from the WHO)
Mental and substance use disorders have a high prevalence and are major causes of disability and premature mortality. However, allocated resources are insufficient and inequitably distributed, resulting in a treatment gap that exceeds 70% in many countries. Stigma and discrimination exacerbate this situation. Median spending on mental health in the Region is just 2.1% of the total health budget, with 42% of these funds allocated to psychiatric hospitals rather than community-based services. 
Source: Mental Health Atlas 2024

Two school nurses having a conversation

Addressing the Need

In 2022, WHO’s World mental health report: transforming mental health for all, highlighted the workplace as a key example of a setting where transformative action on mental health is needed. 

The Challenge in the United States (from the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services)
⇒ 76% of U.S. workers reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition.
⇒ 84% of respondents said their workplace conditions had contributed to at least one mental health challenge.
⇒ 81% of workers reported that they will be looking for workplaces that support mental health in the future.

Sources: MindShare Partners’ 2021 Mental Health at Work Report & APA’s 2022 Work and Well-being Survey results 

Support for UVM Employees

Workshops & Webinars: Summer 2026

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UVM Employee Wellness, in partnership with Talent Development and College of Education & Social Services (CESS), offers a series of webinars and in-person skill sessions to support your mental health. 

Summer 2026 Series Overview

Learn about and be engaged in subjects that affect all our lives—at home and in the workplace. 

  • Facilitated by two UVM Mental Health Counseling graduate students, Aisha Muktar and Hamdan Ali Khan. 

  • Employees are welcome to sign up and join individually.   

  • Departments and other communities around campus are encouraged to attend together and continue the conversation about mental health during your workday.  

  • Supervisors and employees of all levels are welcome to engage.  

In-Person Skill Building Workshops

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Join a small group of employees focused on building practical skills to support and improve mental health. The group setting encourages shared learning and accountability while promoting overall well-being. Engage with counseling graduate students in guided discussions and activities that foster self-awareness, coping strategies, and connections in a supportive environment.  

Upcoming In-Person Skill Building Workshops

Gather at the Osher Center for Integrative Health, at 184 South Prospect St. Bring your lunch, meet fellow colleagues, or come with an office teammate.

Sign up for all four, or for any you can attend, sign up will remain open all summer.

Tuesday June 16, 12pm - 1pm  

Tuesday June 30, 12pm –1pm  

Tuesday July 14, 12pm - 1pm 

Tuesday July 28, 12pm - 1pm 

Sign up here

Virtual Workshops

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Virtual WorkshopWhatWhenJoin Us
Mental Health in the WorkplaceLearn about the importance of mental health, key takeays for improved mental health and communication at work and fill your buckets of self-care.Monday June 8 at 11am-12pm via Teams Register Here
Emotional RegulationGain practical tools to manage stress, improve communication, and support overall well-being.Monday June 22 at 11am-12pm via Teams    
Emotional IntelligenceBuild awareness of emotions and understand how these influence interactions with others.  Use skills to strengthen relationships and enhance team collaboration. Wednesday July 8 at 11am –12pm via Teams   
Building Resilience and Preventing BurnoutRecognize early signs of stress and learn about burnout while learning techniques to strengthen adaptability, maintain energy, and support long-term well-being. Wednesday July 22 11am-12pm on Teams  

Dig Deeper:The American Psychological Association's Work in America™ survey reportsWHO global strategy on health, environment and climate change

WHO Comprehensive mental health action plan (2013–2030)