Checking in during COVID-19

This bulletin was sent at 04/06/2020 10:29 AM CDT

SEGIP Newsletter

How are you doing?

We care about you and your health. Your mental health is an important part of your overall health and wellbeing. With the stress and social isolation that comes with COVID-19, it is more important than ever to maintain good strategies for your physical and mental health.

Here are tips and resources that can help you through this, and above all else, know where to get help.

Tips to support your mental health now

Take breaks from the media. You can consume COVID-19 news all day, but know when to turn it off. Stay informed, but set boundaries when it's adding stress. Consider setting a time or article limit to balance getting the latest information with staying healthy.

Focus on what you can control. Despite the challenges, you can use this opportunity to focus on things that are within your control. Checking off tasks on your to-do list, getting a head start on spring cleaning, or learning something new can help you be productive and lift your spirits.

Stay social. Social connections play an important role in our health, and allow us to check in on the health of others. Stay socially connected but keep a physical distance. Set up virtual hangouts, send letters or emails, or go outside and talk on the phone.

Be kind to yourself and assist others. Helping others feels good and strengthens our community. Volunteer to sew masks, shop for others, or check in on your neighbors.

Take an hour to focus on you

Throughout the month, we’re hosting a series of webinars to support your mental health needs during this challenging time. All the courses are free, and take place from noon to 1 p.m.

Stress less: Tuesday, April 7. There is no magical cure for stress, but there are ways you can reduce it. Learn practical steps you can day to help you cope with stress. Register now using session number 960 517 633 and password 8AKm5mJt.

Mental health first aid: Tuesday, April 14. At some point, each of us experience upsets. Learn how to identify when emotional upsets can develop into something more and how to manage them. Register now using session number 961 644 712 and password 8AKm5mJt.

Boost your resilience: Thursday, April 16. Get tips on behaviors that build resiliency and help you save your energy for when you need it most. Register now using session number 968 230 483 and password 8AKm5mJt.

Know where to get help

We all need a little help sometime. In these crucial moments, it’s important to know that help is available and where to go to get it. (Often at no cost.) Take note of these resources so you know where to turn if you, your family members, or colleagues need it. All of these options are currently offering virtual care.

Five free counseling sessions per topic, per person, per year. Take advantage of our valuable Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Among other services, this program can connect you and immediate family members to counselors. Coverage includes five free counseling sessions a year, per topic. If you’ve already talked to a counselor on a topic earlier this year, you can receive five additional sessions for COVID-19 related concerns. Learn more about EAP and how to contact them anytime.

Contact your health plan administrator about televisits. All of SEGIP’s health plan administrators are working to provide expanded telehealth options for our members to ensure continuity of care during this emergency. Contact your health plan administrator about options for televisits, such as whether you can schedule a phone or video appointment with your established mental health care provider.

Free online care. One of the benefits of being an Advantage Plan member is that you receive free online care . That means you can talk to a mental health care provider from the comfort and safety of your home, with no long waits. To receive this benefit, use your designated virtual provider:
- BlueCross BlueShield and HealthPartners members: use Doctors on Demand
- PreferredOne members: use MDLive

Stress less with these self-care strategies

Taking time to focus on your whole self can have positive mental health benefits. In this time of uncertainty, extra self care can go a long way. Our wellbeing program offers activities that can help, and when you complete activities you can collect points that can earn you a reward next year.

Practice mindfulness with guided courses through Whil. Focus on your mental wellbeing using Whil in Virgin Pulse. The program can help you meditate, build emotional intelligence, and practice yoga. The five-minute courses are easy to fit into your schedule and can help bring mindfulness to your day.

Take a Journey to improve sleep or reduce stress. Get daily tips from Journeys in Virgin Pulse to help build a healthy habit of your choice. Some options include improving sleep, managing stress, and finding focus.

Learn how to manage stress through COVID-19 with meQuilibrium. Hear from resiliency experts on how to manage uncertainty, stress, and anxiety. This resources is available now through May 31 in Virgin Pulse. The activity does not earn points toward the wellbeing reward, but is a valuable resource during this stressful time.

Additional resources

Team resources. Want to help your team and colleagues stay mentally fit? SEGIP has consultants and resources that can help you build team resilience and morale by making sure everyone is feeling their best. Learn more about our EAP-Organizational Health team.

Psychological First Aid. Learn to reduce symptoms of stress and assist in a healthy recovery following a traumatic event, public health emergency, or even a personal crisis. Learn more about Psychological First Aid from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Information from the CDC. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19. There are tips for parents, first responders, and for coming out of quarantine.

Hear from others. Learn more about mental illnesses and hear from people who experience them at Make It OK. You can also listen to podcasts, which share frank and sometimes funny conversations with celebrities about mental illnesses.

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