Looking for a fun way to stay on track with your health goals this summer? Join us for HealthyU BINGO this July.  The goal is to fill up a blank BINGO card (or two) during the month, with healthy activities that you complete from a provided list and then get together to play some games of HealthyU BINGO for prizes.

To get started or if you have questions, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.  All participants will receive a packet that includes a list of HealthyU BINGO activities and a blank BINGO card.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Managers, please encourage your new team members to attend the first available New Employee Orientation after their start date.

The next orientation session is scheduled for:

• Date: Wednesday, June 10
• Time: 9–11:30 a.m.
• Location: Johansen Student Center, Scripps Meeting Room 301 (3rd Floor)

Either the manager or the new employee can reserve a spot. To RSVP, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu and include “NEO” in the subject line.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May since 1949, was established by the founder of Mental Health America to shed light on the challenges faced by those living with mental health conditions.

While stigma around mental health and treatment has decreased in recent years, there are still people who hesitate to take steps to address mental health challenges, seek care, and talk about mental health with friends, family, and even their medical providers.  Did you know that one in five Americans experience a mental illness each year and on average, people live with symptoms of a mental illness for 10 years before seeking treatment, largely due to the stigma?

So, what can you do?  How should you observe Mental Health Awareness Month?

• Take care of yourself. Life has many ups and downs. Some problems you may be able to solve on your own, but not always, and that is okay. When you need mental health assistance, reach out.
• Take care of your loved ones. Check up on your family and friends. Sometimes, all a person needs is a shoulder to lean on, or an ear to listen.  But if they need more help than you can provide, support them, and assist them to find the right treatment.
• Talk about mental health. The more everyone talks about it, the more normalized it will become, reducing the stigma attached to mental health disorders and helping others to seek treatment.
• Learn more. Attend live or virtual events, access resources.

Human Resources has created a Mental Health Awareness Month webpage that includes a detailed list of resources and upcoming events to assist you.

Remember, it is OK to not be OK.  Please reach out when you need help, be there for others who need an assist, and start the conversation.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Join Drake’s Corporate Games team! This annual company-based competition for organizations in central Iowa runs from May 30 through July 31.  With over 20 events to choose from, Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) is a great way to meet new people and have fun.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Try everything from pickleball, golf, and sand volleyball to a fitness walk, 5K run, and bags.  You may participate in as many events as you want.

Activities are held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except golf cart rental). ALL Drake faculty and staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are invited and encouraged to join Drake’s team.

To participate in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions or click HERE for an instruction PDF.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to get outdoors and get moving. If you need a little nudge, join this year’s Walk this May team step challenge!  During the month of May, teams will record their weekly step counts. Team step totals and team rankings will be shared weekly to keep the competitive juices flowing.

To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Monday, April 27, with your list of 4 to 8 team members, team name, and who will be your team captain.  Grab your shoes and let’s get going.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Join Drake’s Corporate Games team.  This annual company-based competition for organizations in central Iowa runs from May 30 through July 31.  With over 20 events to choose from, Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) is a great way to meet new people and have fun.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Try everything from pickleball, golf, and sand volleyball to a fitness walk, 5K run, and bags.  You may participate in as many events as you want.

All in-person activities will be held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except golf cart rental). ALL Drake faculty and staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are invited and encouraged to join Drake’s team.

To participate in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Employee and Family Resources (EFR) has created a new and improved version of their mobile app to make it easier for Drake employees and their household members to access resources and save content most relevant to them.

New features include:

• The DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21).  This is an assessment designed to measure levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Keep tabs on your mental well-being and receive resource recommendations tailored to help you in the areas you need it most.
• Benefit Recommendations.  Answer a series of questions regarding mental health and life circumstances and be guided to the benefits that can help you most.

How to access the app:

Step 1: Create a profile on the EFR online portal. You can use your personal or work email address.

Step 2: Download the EFR app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and then sign in.

The use of EFR services—including the app—is completely confidential.

In addition to the app, check out EFR’s CONNECT page for access to their podcasts, blog, and on-demand webinars. More details about EFR benefits for Drake employees can be found on the Drake HR Employee Assistance Program webpage.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Bergetta Beardsley from the Food Bank of Iowa will be presenting a BUILD session at Drake to discuss hunger myths and how we can all play a role in helping our neighbors in need.  Learn the Food Bank of Iowa’s role and its relationship with supporting partners across 55 counties as well as locally in Polk County/Central Iowa.  This session will be held Tuesday, April 7, from 2–3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Conference Room 310/311.

To register for this class, and any other upcoming BUILD classes or tours, there is an online registration link to a Qualtrics survey.

BUILD is a great platform for learning new ideas as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others from across campus.

Please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu with any questions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources encouraged everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee.  This is a great way to recognize others.

Thank-you to everyone who took time to thoughtfully submit one or more shout-outs.  You certainly shared your “Generosity of Spirit”!  The complete list of shout-outs, highlighting the best in us, can be found on the Human Resources Employee Recognition Page on myDrake, under “SHOUT-OUTS”.

We hope you continue to find ways to show your appreciation to staff, faculty, and student employees across campus.  Sharing positive energy is contagious.  When you look for the good in people, you strengthen relationships, improving both their lives and your own.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources is encouraging everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee.  This is a great way to recognize others.  Simply write a sentence or two of appreciation for an individual or team and submit it to linda.feiden@drake.edu between now and March 25. They will be compiled and posted in the March 31 edition of OnCampus.

Sharing positive energy is contagious.  When you look for the good in people, you strengthen relationships, improving both their lives and your own.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources