Dear GW Community,
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, we invite you to Look Around, Look Within. This year’s theme reinforces the idea that we should consider every part of our environment and its effect on our well-being while also encouraging us to make small consistent efforts to improve our mental health each day. This month we bring to you another new only-at-GW opportunity with our Mental Health Monday event series. Additional information about this campaign is below. Mark your calendar and plan to join us!
Also, this month we offer several new Well-being Wednesday events, new financial well-being events, share tips and reminders for getting the most from your benefits including paid time off, and personal international travel benefit coverage. Finally, don’t forget that your work location determines your state benefits, please keep your work location up to date and check out opportunities to connect 1:1 with our benefit vendor partners.
If you have questions about any of the benefits featured in GWell or other benefits programs, please contact us at benefits@gwu.edu.
Be Well,
GW Benefits
Human Resource Management and Development
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Simple Ways to Improve Mental Health
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If you can imagine what an ideal break in the day would look like to you, whether that be connecting with a friend, reading a book, or even walking in the park, these are all great starting points to create your self-care toolbox for improved mental health. Once you have these mental health goals in mind, try taking advantage of our supportive GW well-being programs and events that would best support you and your mental health needs.
As a reminder, through your employee benefits, you have access to the GW Employee Assistance Program for free, 24/7 confidential counseling for any emotional health concerns as well as Headspace, an app that provides mindfulness support. Employees enrolled in GW medical plans have access to behavioral health benefits as well as virtual therapy support.
While not every day may be an easy day, know you are not alone and you can overcome challenges. As a member of this shared GW community, we can lean on and uplift one another as we improve our community of well-being. Let’s make strides together!
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NEW - This Month Only! Mental Health Mondays
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Financial Well-being at GW
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Today’s economic climate can make it tricky to navigate personal finances. If you are looking to equip yourself with some new financial tools and resources, grab your GW financial passport and join us on our journey towards improved financial well-being.
During this journey, you will be able to collect unique GW stamps and earn incentives along the way as you move through the following locations: managing money, building resilience, growing wealth, and protecting wealth. Once you complete a session, you will receive your stamp via email to add to your passport and you will be automatically entered into the pool of employees eligible for prize consideration.
Wherever you are traveling from, GW Benefits together with our vendor partners are here to help you reach a more healthy and secure destination.
In May the following events will be offered:
Introduction to Financial Well-being: Wednesday, May 10
10 AM ET I What is Financial Wellness and Why is it Important? with Fidelity
On Demand I Fundamentals of Financial Well-being with UHC
Managing Money: Monday, May 15
10 AM ET I Managing My Money with Fidelity
Building Resilience: Tuesday, May 16
1 PM ET I Discover Financial Well-Being and the Power of Saving with TIAA
Growing Wealth: Tuesday, May 23
1 PM ET I Invest for Success: 5 Principles You Need to Know with TIAA
Protecting Wealth: Thursday, May 25
10AM ET I Preserving Your Savings For Future Generations with Fidelity
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International Travel on the Horizon?
Summer is right around the corner and traveling for vacations is a great opportunity to unwind, de-stress and indulge yourself – you’ve earned it! If your summer plans take you internationally this year, we have compiled a new coverage tips sheet that explains how your GW benefit plans work abroad. Our plans are designed to make it easy for you to access care and keep you and your eligible dependents healthy while enjoying your trip. We’ve got you covered.
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| Calling all GW Medical Plan Participants! Say hello to Self Care from AbleTo
Did you know if you participate in the GW PPO or GW HSP medical plans, you have access to the Self Care app at no cost?
With Self Care, you’ll receive personalized content that’s designed to help you boost your mood and give you new perspectives. Explore mood tracking, habit tracking, interactive activities through collections, meditations and much more!
To sign up for Self Care, you will need to create an account and register on ableto.com/begin. Once registered, you can download the app. Self Care is accessible via computer, phone, or app.
Ready to get started? Visit ableto.com/begin. Have your health plan ID handy (can be found on your UHC card), follow the steps to sign up and begin your self-care program today!
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Reminder: Work Location Address
It’s important to keep your work location up to date as this determines eligibility for applicable benefits in the state where you work. Your work location is the state where you physically work more than 50% of the time. With the Spring 2023 semester coming to an end, please ensure your work location in GWeb is up to date.
Follow these step-by-step instructions and FAQs to help review and update your work location. If you have recently moved states, please remember to also update your tax withholding forms.
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| Paid Time Off Reminder
Did you know when you push yourself to work without planned time off, eventually your brain can start to push back? Your thoughts can get cloudy, your creativity will diminish, and you’ll have a harder time dealing with stress. Luckily, even a single day off can bring you back into a state of mental clarity. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Taking time off when you need it will keep you feeling balanced and make you more productive in the long run. With the end of the fiscal year (June 30) fast approaching, we encourage you to view the time off and leave policy and use your well-earned time away to give yourself the mental break your brain deserves.
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Relax and Rejuvenate - Free Employee Seated Massages!
Faculty and staff can enjoy free seated massages at Foggy Bottom and Virginia Science and Technology campuses this spring!
Foggy Bottom - University Student Center
May 17, 2023
Reserve Your Spot!
VSTC - Enterprise Hall
May 23, 2023
Reserve Your Spot!
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May 18 at 10:15am ET and 4:15pm ET
Mental Health and Me
Join this webinar to explore strategies to manage your mental/emotional health as well as utilize available resources to help. The session will also take a look at early warning signs to seek help and techniques to maintain positive mental health and wellness.
Register here: Health Advocate
May 25 at 12pm ET
Get to Know the GW Retirement Plan
You don’t have to know all the answers – Fidelity is here to help. Learn how your retirement plan works and how we can help you with investment advice, so you can make the most of this important benefit.
Register here: Fidelity
Mark Your Calendar and Check Back Often!
Did you know we have a GW Benefits events webpage? Be sure to check it out throughout the month as additional opportunities will be added!
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Monthly Benefits Vendors' Meetings...
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1:1 UnitedHealthcare Meetings
Meet with GW’s UnitedHealthcare representative, Jessica Wachter, to review outstanding claims and/or ask questions about your medical coverage. She will reach out prior to your appointment to provide a virtual meeting link.
For future appointments, please use the arrows in the upper right corner to scroll to the next month.
1:1 Retirement Counseling
Retirement plan participants can schedule financial counseling by appointment with TIAA or Fidelity. To book an appointment, call your preferred provider or use the online booking systems listed below:
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Fidelity Investments - Make an appointment online or call 800-642-7131
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TIAA - Make an appointment online or call 866-843-5640
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GW Benefits
45155 Research Place, Suite 160
Ashburn, VA 20147
Phone: (571) 553-8382
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