There is still time to be a part of Drake’s team for the Des Moines Corporate Games.  These games are a great way to have fun with colleagues, get a little activity, and represent Drake while doing so.  All events are held after work and on weekends.

We need help filling these teams with upcoming deadlines.  Please consider joining us.

Bowling (coed, women’s, men’s). Deadline to register is June 28.  The coed team plays Tuesday, July 11, and the men’s and women’s teams play on Wednesday, July 12, at Bowlerama Lanes, beginning at 8 p.m. Five players per team. Plenty of openings on all teams.

4-Person Best Shot Golf (women’s, men’s).  Deadline to register is July 5. Event held Sunday, July 16 at 8 a.m. at A.H. Blank Golf Course.  This differs from the coed date, time, and location.  Need two more men for the men’s team and four women for the women’s team.

Bags.  Deadline to register is July 5.  Event held Friday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Greenbelt Landing at Clive Aquatic Center.  Need one more person for our second team.

Disc Golf (women’s, men’s).  Deadline to register is July 12.  Event held Sunday, July 23 at 12:30 p.m. at Ewing Park Disc Golf Course.  Need two men and two women.  Must provide own discs.

Tug of War.  Deadline to register is July 12.  Event held Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. (must be weighed in by 6 p.m.) at Raccoon River Park Beach. Plenty of openings.

In addition to the team events, there are several individual events coming up in July that you may be interested in, including a cycling tour ride, 4K and 8K cross country race, a duathlon and triathlon, and a 5K road race.  If you are not into sports, they also have an opportunity for you to donate blood or package meals at Meals from the Heartland.

Signing up is easy—email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu if you are interested in participating in any (or many) of the events above.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake HR is pleased to announce that Suman Rose joined the HR team on June 5. We retooled the position vacated by Trevon Smith. Suman will be working as an Onboarding and Engagement Specialist.

Suman previously worked in the Drake Financial Aid Office as a Financial Aid Coordinator. She is very grateful for the knowledge and skills gained in the Financial Aid Office and is thankful for everyone on the Financial Aid team for their support in her transition to the new role in HR.

As our new HR Onboarding and Engagement Specialist, Suman will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition for new hires, facilitating their integration into our university community, and fostering a positive employee experience. Suman brings with her a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for making a positive impact on the lives of students, faculty, and staff. Suman is already demonstrating outstanding customer service, is a quick study, and has already become a vital member of the HR team.

We are thrilled to welcome Suman to the Drake HR family. We look forward to the valuable contributions she will make. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Suman as she joins our team.

— Drake HR Team

Drake Human Resources is receiving free consultations through a state-funded grant on developing age inclusive practices, particularly in recruitment. Age-Inclusive Management Strategies (AIMS) is funded by the state and spear-headed by Professor Brian Kaskie at the University of Iowa, College of Public Health.

As part of the AIMS consultation process, we learned about the option of taking the AARP Employer Pledge. The AARP Employer Pledge is a nationwide group of employers that have expressed allyship in standing with AARP in affirming the value of experienced workers and are committed to developing diverse organizations. By signing the pledge, we further commit Drake to offering equal employment opportunities for all workers, to recognize the value of experienced workers, to recruit across diverse age groups and consider all applicants on an equal basis, and to believe that workers aged 50+ should have a level playing field when applying and competing for jobs.

To show appreciation for Drake’s commitment to age-inclusivity, AARP offering discounted membership to both active and retired Drake employees. Right now, you can sign up for a two-year AARP membership at a discounted rate of only $20. This is an amazing deal—AARP offers its members a wide range of perks, including discounts on travel, restaurants, technology, and much more. A full list of membership benefits can be found here. You can use this AARP Membership Link to take advantage of this amazing perk.

— Maureen De Armond & Marli Jefferson, Human Resources

This past academic year, 445 faculty and staff participated in at least one Bulldogs United in Learning & Development (BUILD) class. These classes assist individuals with learning a new skill, improving their well-being, or strengthening professional knowledge.

We are now in the process of planning for our 2023–2024 academic year.  If there are topics you would like to see addressed in BUILD sessions this fall or you would be interested in facilitating a BUILD class, we would like to hear from you.  Please take a moment to fill out this short Qualtrics survey with your suggestions or send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness month, how can we continue to shine a light on this important topic and break the stigmas surrounding it? Here are some ways to create more understanding and positive action.

Learn more about mental health.  Read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or attend webinars on various topics related to mental health.  NAMI Iowa and the Healthiest State Initiative’s Make it OK campaign are good resources, as well as Employee & Family Resources.

Spark conversations and support others.  Initiate open, compassionate dialogue about mental health with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Create a safe space where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and struggles. Show others that you care and support them by listening to them without judgement, offering encouragement and empathy, respecting their boundaries and privacy, and helping them find resources and assistance if they want it.

Don’t contribute to mental health stigmas. Unfortunately, our society still has a lot of stigma and discrimination around mental health.  This can prevent people from seeking help or speaking opening about their issues.  You can help break the stigma by educating others about mental health facts and myths, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, and fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding. Mental health is health—just like diabetes, hypertension, or other health related conditions.

Check in with yourself and prioritize self-care. To help others, you must also help yourself.  It is important to take some time every day to check in with yourself and notice your emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Embrace self-care as a crucial aspect of mental well-being.  Discover activities that bring you joy, peace, and rejuvenation. Practice them regularly to replenish your energy and nurture your emotional balance.

Seek support.  If you are navigating your own mental health journey, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.  Drake health plan participants can access mental health services and take advantage of virtual care visits with Broadlawns providers. Broadlawns Medical Center offers a comprehensive delivery system for mental health services in Central Iowa. Virtual Care Visits provide a safe and convenient way for you to access care through your existing provider or to establish care with a new healthcare provider. Broadlawns also offers Outpatient Mental Health Services.  And Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of resources, including free confidential counseling, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app.  EAPs are an often-under-utilized employee benefit available to Drake employees and anyone living in their households.

Let’s create a culture that fosters empathy, understanding, and support—where everyone feels valued and empowered to prioritize their mental well-being.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Being a leader can be hard. Most managers and supervisors are so busy with several responsibilities to juggle, that it can be difficult to bring their best self to work every day.

To address this challenge, Employee & Family Resources (EFR), Drake’s employee assistant plan provider, is offering a virtual 1-hour presentation for Drake managers and supervisors on Wednesday, May 31, at 1 p.m. titled Leading with Your Best Self.

During this session, Lars Peterson, a licensed psychotherapist, consultant, and trainer for EFR, will go over some of the tools you may need to help you lead with your best self, making good decisions, communicating effectively, and staying focused and energized.

To register for this session, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are exploring different themes related to mental wellbeing and stress coping practices. As we all know, there are many stressors in life, but money is one of the most universal sources of stress—no matter what the tax bracket.  According to the American Psychiatric Association, when asked about their sources of anxiety, Americans put personal finances at the top at 64%.  And 42% of U.S. adults say money negatively impacts their mental health according to a survey by Bankrate.

Even though many external variables may affect financial stress, there are things you can do to help manage and even reduce it.

First, focus on your health.  When you are not your best, everything can spin out of control.  Prioritize your own physical, mental, and emotional health.  Keep active, sleep right, limit alcohol and caffeine, make healthy food choices, practice mindfulness, and stay connected to family and friends.

Next, it is time to plan.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Take stock of where you are with your money.  Make a list of everything you own, owe, earn, and spend.  This is your starting point and your method to find out where you are at right now.

Start or build an emergency fund.  Begin by taking some of the dollars you may spend on dining out, specialty coffee drinks, and entertainment and put those dollars into an emergency fund.  Saving $25 a week can add up to $1,300 in a year.  Over time, build this up to the equivalent of 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses.  Another idea is to automate the process by having a certain percentage of your income go directly into a special savings account up front that you don’t touch.

Take a page from Marie Kondo.  Check your loan statements, credit card bills, memberships, and subscriptions.  What are you paying?  Are there better deals out there?  Do you really need it right now?  Answers to those questions can save you money.

Swap take-out for home meals.  When crunched for time it is easy to eat out and order take-out.  But if you are watching your finances (and your health), reduce eating out and take-out dining. Did you know that eating out is linked to increased morbidity and cancer? Consider trying some healthy and budget friendly meal prep at home.

Check your interest rates.  If you are using multiple credit cards for your purchases, try to use the card with the lowest interest rate so you will be paying less in interest when you do pay off your bill.  Even a few percentage points can save you money.

Keep calm about your investments.  You might be tempted to pull out of the markets when they become volatile and retreat to safety.  But if you are feeling uneasy, make an appointment with your financial advisor to go over your portfolio.

Ask for help.  If you are struggling financially or emotionally, don’t keep it to yourself.  There are resources that can help.

• Explore the TIAA website for answers to questions on personal finances or participate in a live or on-demand webinar. You may also schedule an in-person counseling session with TIAA Senior Financial Consultant, Paige Philips, at TIAA.org/schedulenow, or by calling 800-732-8353.  To schedule a virtual counseling session, call 515-268-8607 or email paige.philips@tiaa.org.
• Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers financial consulting as well as a wide range of additional resources, including webinars, podcasts, a blog, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app. You can reach EFR by phone (800-327-4692) or visit their website. All EAP benefits are confidential and available 24/7/365.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Pop quiz: Does it matter what we eat for mental health?

The answer is yes. And it may matter more than you think.  While it is widely known that nutrition plays a key part in our physical health, it directly affects our emotional wellbeing too.  The relationship between our diet and mental health is complex, but simply said, the brain and “gut” (also called the second brain) are intimately connected.

Many people turn to food to cope with emotions. Allowing yourself an occasional extra dessert is understandable during stressful times and may even provide a quick “feel good” rush.  But it won’t last, and a steady diet high in sugar and processed foods can lead to inflammation which may contribute to mood disorders, including anxiety and depression.

The good news is that eating for our mental wellbeing doesn’t have to be hard.  Many of the nutritional tips for physical wellbeing will also help you manage your mental health.

Eat regularly.  If your blood sugar drops you might feel tired, irritable, and depressed. Eating smaller portions spaced out regularly throughout the day and choosing foods that release energy slowly, will help to keep your sugar levels steady. Samantha Matt, Drake Dining Registered Dietitian added “Carbohydrates provide us with energy but digest quickly when eaten alone, leading to a cycle of blood sugar spikes and hunger.  To build a hunger-fighting snack that won’t spike blood sugar, try pairing your carbohydrates with a protein or healthy fat such as apples with peanut butter or Greek yogurt with berries.”

Stay hydrated.  Your brain is made up of over 70% water.  Being dehydrated can negatively affect your focus, clarity, and mood. It is also linked to anxiety and depression.  Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.  Try to avoid beverages high in sugar and caffeine.

Eat “well”.  Consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and B vitamins, amino acids, minerals (magnesium and zinc), plant-based antioxidants, and micro biotics.  These can be found in whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds, as well as fermented foods like yogurt.  Avoid diets that are high in saturated fats and refined sugars.  Yes, this includes favorites such as doughnuts, processed deli meat, chips, and sugary drinks.

If you find it difficult to avoid foods high in sugar and fat, keep temptations out of the house.  Make the healthy choice the easy choice by surrounding yourself with nutritious options and limiting the junk food.  Another tip – get regular exercise and sleep.  The better you feel, the less likely you are to make poor eating choices.

Finally, get support when needed.  Sometimes you can’t do it alone.  Friends and family members can be great support.  For additional assistance, set up an appointment with Samantha Matt at samantha.matt@drake.edu. She can help develop strategies that will work for you and give you advice building on the general guidance offered above.

With a little thought and planning, you can make good food choices and boost your mental wellbeing!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Join Drake’s Corporate Games team!  This annual company-based program runs June 1 through July 31.  With over two dozen events to choose from, you can decide which ones fit your schedule and interest.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational.  From pickleball to trivia, and bags to a fitness walk, there is something for everyone.  All in-person activities (there are a few virtual options) are held in the evenings and on weekends and are free–except golf cart rental.

There is even a Meals from the Heartland option if you are looking for a team-building activity.

All FT and PT faculty, staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are welcome to join Drake’s team.  To participate, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May since 1949, is a globally recognized mental health awareness event first started by Mental Health America (not to be confused with World Mental Health Day, which is observed in October).

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. Given the additional stress and uncertainty that have accompanied the past few years, it is as important now as it has ever been to talk about mental health.  Remember, it is OK to not be OK.

There are several organizations that offer tools and resources to support others and be supported.

The Healthiest State Initiative’s Make It OK is a community campaign that encourages everyone to talk more openly about mental illness in hopes of de-stigmatizing it so individuals will feel more open to seek care.  They are offering a free Make It OK virtual presentation on Monday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to noon.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helps raise awareness and combat stigma. NAMI has published a guide, identifying the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month theme “More than Enough,”­ focusing on messages of hope and inclusion.

Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of resources. EAPs are an often-under-utilized employee benefit. Drake pays for this benefit, so Drake employees (and anyone living in their households) can have easy access to these resources. If you have never explored this wonderful benefit, take some time to do so. There is something for everyone—including free confidential counseling, webinars, podcasts, a blog, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app.

Beginning in May, our EAP vendor, Employee and Family Resources (EFR), is offering a new benefit called Togetherall—an online support peer community.  Connect with others for support, keep a journal, set goals, take assessments, and learn how to adjust to life’s ups and downs with structured courses. Moderated by professionals, Togetherall is available 24/7 and free to use.  Join a virtual webinar on Wednesday, May 10 for details on how you can access this platform and online community.

Check out this month’s HR Monthly for more information on Mental Health Awareness Month events and resources.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources